Public safety officers from Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) responded to two separate incidents of alleged shoplifting in the CBD from the same shop in just one week this month. Two suspects were taken into custody, in connection with the two incidents.
Marius Boshoff, Hermanus branch manager for Fidelity ADT, reported that one of the HPP foot patrollers was busy doing patrols in the CBD on 9 November when a shop owner alerted him that someone had just stolen items from his store. The shop owner also provided a description of the alleged shoplifter.
A short while later a person matching this description was located and detained with the assistance of the HPP Specialised Response Unit. The suspect was taken back to the shop owner.
“The complainant positively identified the suspect and also confirmed that the items of clothing in his possession had earlier been stolen from the shop. The items were valued at close to R1 500. Hermanus Police came to take the suspect into custody,” Boshoff stated.
On 16 November, another suspect was arrested when she was found in possession of suspected stolen items.
“HPP camera operators saw two women whose demeanour raised suspicion,” said Boshoff. “When they were confronted one woman ran away but was later detained and questioned.
“Items of clothing were found in her possession, and she reportedly admitted that she had earlier stolen the items from a clothing store in the area. She was taken into custody.”
HPP is staffed and managed by Fidelity ADT and funded by local ratepayers.