Melkbos police praise ADT officer
A private security officer has been praised by police for his proactive approach to crime fighting, which helped in the arrest of two suspects in Melkbosstrand last weekend.
ADT Security armed response officer Simphiwe Ntlabati (aged 45) was patrolling along Melkbos Road when he was flagged down by a member of the public, at around 1.48am (on Saturday 20 August, 2016). The resident told officer Ntlabati that his home had just been burgled and that he was busy tracking his stolen cellphone through the ‘Where’s My Phone’ app.
“Thanks to his experience of working in the Melkbos area, Officer Ntlabati realized that the alleged suspects were probably trying to make their getaway by moving towards the R27. Based on the information from the resident’s cellphone tracking app, he also realized that the suspect had to be in the immediate vicinity still and informed the police and neighborhood watch,” says ADT Security’s District Manager (Cape Town North) Verena Hulme.
Armed with a description of the suspects, office Ntlabati proceeded to a nearby field and parked next to it hoping to be able to apprehend the suspects as they moved past.
It was not long afterwards that he noticed one of the suspects moving towards him. In the process of trying to apprehend the suspect, two rounds of officer Ntlabati’s fire-arm were discharged but no one was injured. The suspect was successfully apprehended and handed over into the custody of the Melkbosstrand SAPS.
“The police located a second suspect a short while later and he was also arrested. Several stolen items have been recovered,” says Hulme.
The arrest of the two suspects was confirmed by Constable Debbie Alard, communications officer for Melkbosstrand SAPS. She says a letter of commendation was also sent to ADT Security about the contribution made by officer Ntlabati.
“Our station commander, Captain Ronita van der Toorn, expressed his sincere appreciation towards the armed response officer’s dedication and loyalty. Had it not been for the officer’s proactiveness, these arrests would not have been possible,” says Constable Alard.
“I am proud of officer Ntlabati for his calm approach towards assisting this resident who was in need. We are particularly impressed with how he combined his training and his knowledge of the area to apprehend a suspect,” says Hulme.
[Attached picture shows Officer Simphiwe Ntlabati being congratulated by Gavin Robinson, ADT’s Community Business Development Manager (Cape Town North).]