They say elephants never forget. A suspect in Hermanus learned recently that local public-safety officers have great memories too; they will not easily forget your past transgressions.
“One of the response officers from Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) was on patrol in the CBD recently when he spotted a well-known troublemaker,” says Marius Boshoff, Hermanus branch manager for Fidelity ADT. “The person had a bicycle in his possession and the officer knew that the suspect did not own a bike so he stopped to investigate.
“The officer noted that the bike had recently been given a DIY paint job and the person appeared nervous. His story of where he obtained the bike also kept changing.”
The officer recalled an earlier report of a red bicycle being reported stolen, and he decided to load the suspect and the bicycle into the back of the vehicle and take them to the complainant.
“When the complainant saw the now white bike, he confirmed that it was in fact the red bike that he had reported stolen earlier. He also recognised the suspect as someone who had two years ago been arrested at that same address when the building was still under construction.”
Boshoff says the complainant opened a case against the suspect and he was taken into custody.
“December will no doubt be a very busy period again as holidaymakers arrive. I can assure criminals and criminal elements that the town’s armed response and public safety officers are all ready to track them down as we keep this town safe for everybody.”
Hermanus Public Protection is a non-profit company established to provide public safety and top-up cleansing services in a geographical designated area of Hermanus.