Friday the 13th is a day that has become synonymous with bad luck and misfortune. If something can go wrong on that date you can rest assured it will do just that.
This was exactly what eight suspects experienced in and around Hermanus before ending up behind bars on Friday 13 September.
“The day started with Hermanus Public Protection’s (HPP) CCTV team being alerted to a suspicious vehicle that was believed to be in the area,” explained Marius Boshoff, Hermanus branch manager for Fidelity ADT.
“The police explained that the vehicle reportedly contained various illegal items.”
The camera team was able to locate the vehicle and shared this information with the police. When the police stopped and searched it they discovered narcotics and a knife.
As a result, the two occupants were arrested. They were charged with possession of illegal narcotics and a dangerous weapon.
Boshoff stated that the second arrest happened just after midday that same day.
“One of the HPP foot patrollers was asked to help when a member of the public reported that a wallet had been stolen out of his car in the CBD.
“Video footage helped officers to identify the alleged suspect, and his description was quickly shared all over the area. After a search he was located and detained and the stolen wallet was found in his possession.”
The suspect was arrested and charged with theft from a motor vehicle and possession of stolen goods. But this was still not the final arrest carried out on Friday the 13th.
Boshoff said one of the HPP CCTV operators noticed a vehicle acting suspiciously in the CBD. Just after 17:00, the operator could see the vehicle driving to various parking areas.
“He alerted one of the closest HPP foot patrollers to investigate. When the patroller approached the vehicle, the driver immediately sped off. Information about the vehicle was shared with the police who waited for them on the R43.”
The police managed to stop the vehicle and searched it. The five occupants of the vehicle could not provide a plausible explanation how they obtained the various items that they had in the car which included items of clothing and even a microwave.
“The suspects were taken to the Hermans police station where they were arrested and charged with the possession of stolen property,” said Boshoff.
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.
It is funded by the ratepayers through the Overstrand Municipality Special Rating Area By-law and Policy and is supported by Fidelity ADT.
