House robbery suspects apprehended soon after committing robbery in Cape Town

In the early hours of Wednesday the 27th of March, volunteer Law Enforcement officers were patrolling their neighbourhood in Gardens, of Cape Town. Coming across a vehicle matching the description and suspicious of the vehicle driving through the suburbs deserted roads, they attempted to follow the vehicle but the occupants immediately increased their speed and attempted to get away.

The Auxiliary offers pursued the vehicle, while calling for assistance over their radio. Quickly realizing their high speed attempt of escaping would be in vain, the suspects halted their vehicle alongside an open area on Roodebloom Rd and split off into the darkness. With the Auxiliaries in pursuit, one of the suspects was chased down. Trying to physically attack the officers in his attempt to resist arrest, officers still managed to subdue the perpetrator at last.

Returning to the vehicle, they found it loaded with the contents of a burglary the occupants had just committed. These were traced back to a residence in Oranjezicht, where the scene was taken over by SAPS.

It is hoped that through SAPS Forensic Services, and by processing the crime scene and the getaway vehicle’s interior, enough evidence will be gathered to identify the remaining members of this syndicate and at last, link them to their reign of terror they held across the City bowl and Southern suburbs.

Auxiliary officers are Cape Town’s finest. Ordinary residents with their own daytime employment commitments, but when returning home in the evenings, often put on their Law Enforcement uniforms and volunteer to head out, to assist in keeping their own communities safe.

We started this voluntary program back in 2013 with just a small group as a trial. Today our Auxiliary component is well over 100 officers. While we can gladly assist other municipalities in South Africa establishing their own Auxiliary divisions, it is exciting to hear that Stellenbosch has now followed suite and is ready to harness the passion of the volunteer spirit.

There are many different ways to make a difference. But our Auxiliaries have made all the difference!