An armed response officer helped in the arrest of three suspects, when they were caught allegedly breaking in at an address in North End.

“Police asked us for backup as they responded to a reported break-in on Slater Street. One of our armed response officers joined them at the scene,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Communications and Marketing for Fidelity ADT.

There were signs that the alleged suspects were still on the property. Members of the SAPS made two quick arrests.

“Our officer had a hunch that there were more suspects on the property and he climbed on top of the roof to investigate. This is how he managed to locate and detain another suspect hiding in the ceiling while two alleged accomplices were detained in a back passageway. The three were handed over into police custody,” says Hattingh.

In an unrelated incident the previous day, an armed response officer helped in the recovery of several stolen goods in the Fairview area.

“The officer was on patrol when he was flagged down by a member of the public asking for assistance. He was told of a break-in that had just happened at a house in the area and there were also reports of suspicious activity in nearby bushes,” says Hattingh.

SAPS were alerted to join the search of the bushes. This led to the discovery of a man-made hideout where several allegedly stolen items were discovered. The homeowner confirmed that some of the items had been stolen from his premises. Also among the recovered items were illicit substances, implements used in the execution of a break-in, and a bag of clothes.

“Well done to our Gqeberha team for their hard work and dedication. It plays a big part in keeping the town and its people safe,” says Hattingh.