Johannesburg -
Police have arrested seven brazen smash-and-grabbers while they were operating at the same intersection in Joburg this month, thanks to the City of Joburg’s roving eyes in the sky.
The criminals attacked and stole from motorists at the corner of Main Reef Road and Nugget Street, but were unaware that CCTV cameras were tracing and tracking them.
Working in groups, they were spotted on CCTV footage by Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers, casually strolling up to motorists and stripping them of their belongings.
For the past two years, Main Reef Road has been on the list of Joburg’s smash-and-grab hotspots.
On Tuesday afternoon, two suspects strolled to a Hyundai sedan that had stopped at a red traffic light.
The window was rolled down, the suspects approached the driver and seized his cellphone.
The pair then calmly walked across the road and climbed into a taxi.
But they realised police were onto them when, minutes later, the taxi was flagged down. The suspects tried to flee but were nabbed.
Inside the control room this week, JMPD spokesman Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said SAPS and JMPD personnel worked inside the control room along with delegated control room operators.
“The operators communicated with the officers, and they radioed officers on the ground who moved in as quickly as possible.”
Omega, the firm that works with the police to run the CCTV system and its 402 cameras, has more than 30 staff working in the control room at any given time.
Three weeks ago, at the same intersection, a second group of five suspects attempted to rob several motorists at the same time. One went to a black BMW sedan but the driver pulled off as there was space in front of him.
They robbed the driver of a white VW Caddy who also had his window rolled down, stealing his cellphone. But seven minutes later, after being tracked and traced by the cameras, they too were arrested.
Other footage shown by the JMPD included three security guards from Mabotwane security services who robbed a man off his wallet and cellphone after beating him unconscious with sticks in Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, Newtown, last month.
Footage, also from last month, showed three security personnel who guard cars at the JMPD impound in Joburg helping a thief to strip cars. The security guards were also from Mabotwane security services. Both these latter cases are now before the courts.
Saturday Star