Police dog hunts down car thief
2008-08-28 14:24
Scottburgh - An elderly pensioner from Umlazi had his stolen car recovered within an hour thanks to the diligence of police dog Alec, police said on Thursday.
Kingsley Wilfred Aldum, 78, parked his Honda Ballade outside the local Shoprite at about 08:45 on Wednesday morning, police spokesperson Captain Vincent Pandarum said.
Returning at 10:00 he saw his "old faithful" had been stolen, along with money, groceries and other property in the car.
"Sergeant Kenneth Glover and Inspector Brendon Rensburg of the Umkomaas SAPS Dog Unit were on duty in Umkomaas when they got a radio message of the car theft," said Pandarum.
The two saw the car turning north onto the N2 and gave chase, intercepting the suspects as they abandoned the car while it was still in motion.
They were trying to cross the grass inland between the carriageways onto the N2 southbound, when they leapt out of the car.
Split directions
"They split directions and Inspector Rensburg chased the one down the bank of the Umkomaas River with his patrol dog, Alec," said Pandarum.
Alec, a German Sheppard, tackled the 22-year-old suspect amongst the reeds of the river. He was arrested by Rensburg.
The other suspect escaped, probably with an undisclosed amount of money which was missing from the car and not found on the first suspect.
The man will appear in court, and police are conducting a profile to possibly link him to other motor vehicle theft in the area, Pandarum told News24.
"We're also seeing if he can give us any other information about the whereabouts of the other suspect who escaped," he said.
Meanwhile Aldum was said to be immensely relieved at the return of his car and the arrest of the suspect at 10:30.
"The suspect sustained bite wounds and was treated at the GJ Crookes Hospital in Scottburgh before being taken to the Scottburgh Saps," said Pandarum.
The man is expected to appear in the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court later this week.