The work done by the Stellenbosch Safety Initiative (SSI) led to the arrest of three suspects who allegedly broke into Stellenbosch PicardiRebel liquor store on 12 April, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality’s communications manager.
“Rapid sharing of crime intelligence with law enforcement and security agencies, through platforms such as the SSI, means that we can combine resources and act quickly,” said Grobbelaar.
The silver GTI stopped by police at a roadblock, on 12 April. PHOTO: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
A silver GTI vehicle was stopped at a roadblock on 12 April, said captain Natalie Martins, communications officer at Stellenbosch SAPS.
“The police official asked them where they got the liquor from and they could not give an explanation about the items [nor] what they were doing in Stellenbosch during lockdown,” said Martins.
According to Martins, the suspects were initially arrested for possession of possible stolen property and upon further investigation, it was found that they were indeed involved in the liquor store break-in.
Alcohol found in the car of the three suspects by police. PHOTO: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
They have since appeared in court, and all three suspects have been granted bail of R5 000 each. However one of the accused could not make bail and remains in custody, according to Byron Williams, court manager at Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court.
They will appear in court again on 2 June, said Williams.
According to Grobbelaar, the SSI, which was established by the municipality, works closely with all public and private security partners in Stellenbosch.
The municipality will continue their strong working relationship with the local police to ensure that all communities are safe, Grobbelaar said.
A security guard standing outside PicardiRebel just after the break-in was confirmed. PHOTO: Stellenbosch Watch
“As a community we cannot and must not allow this kind of unlawful behavior in our town,” said Tim Flack, Stellenbosch Community Police Forum’s public relations officer.
The Stellenbosch Community Police Forum congratulates the law enforcement officers for the arrest of these criminals, he said.
– Wilné van Rooyen