Reporting any type of crime as soon as possible, helps law enforcement and security agencies respond quickly and goes a long way towards tracking down criminals before they get away. This lesson was proven again this week, when a suspect was arrested in Hout Bay on Monday morning (27 September 2021).

“One of our armed response officers was busy with patrols down Main Road, when he heard a message on the WatchCon radio network asking officers to be on the lookout for a suspect in the area. A detailed description of the person was provided, including the bicycle that was riding at the time,” explains Mr Jade Hanning, Western Cape General Manager for Fidelity ADT.

It didn’t take long for the officer to locate a person that matched the description, and he was stopped and questioned. Police backup was also requested when the suspect refused to cooperate.

“The police questioned the suspect and he could not provide them with a plausible explanation as to how he had come to have the bike in his possession. The suspect was taken into custody, on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property,” says Hanning.

But that is not where the story ends. The news of the arrest was communicated across the WatchCon radio network, which led to another armed response officer in the Camps Bay area contacting the police in that suburb.

“This officer was aware of recent bike thefts in the Camps Bay area, and he asked the SAPS if they had an open case of theft on their books that could potentially be linked to the arrest that had just happened in Hout Bay. Camps Bay police confirmed that they did in fact have a case of theft that had just been opened, and this theft was positively linked to the Hout Bay arrest.

“Well done to everyone for this incredible teamwork and coordinated effort which led to the bike’s successful recovery. Please contact your closest police station or the WatchCon team on 021 790 9333 so that they can respond in any emergency, as quickly as possible,” says Hanning.