Vigilance from a local security officer led to the apprehension of two suspects in Main Road this month.

“Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) patrol officer Lubabalo Zitulele was on duty along the cliff path near Kwaaiwater when he spotted two unidentified men jumping over a wall of a resident’s home with two black bags filled with items. Their demeanour raised our officer’s suspicions and he immediately responded on the suspicion that he was witness to a crime in progress,” says Marius Boshoff, Fidelity ADT branch manager for Hermanus.

HPP is staffed and managed by Fidelity ADT. Patrol officers are in constant contact with their armed response colleagues via the local monitoring centre.

“Officer Zitulele followed the suspects while calling for backup from his colleagues. With their help, the suspects were apprehended and detained,” says Boshoff.

It was later determined that the suspects had gained access to the home in question by removing a back window. The items in the bags they carried were positively identified as stolen by the home owner. Hermanus SAPS took the suspects into custody and they are facing charges of theft and house breaking.

“Well done to officer Zitulele for responding immediately when he saw what was happening. We are proud to have him as part of the HPP team,” says Boshoff.