A would-be burglar is caught red-handed
A burglar was caught in the act thanks to the diligence and bravery of a local security officer.
Just before 11h00 on Sunday 12 October 2014, ADT Security Armed Response Officer (ARO) Abraham Plaatjies was dispatched to investigate an alarm activation signal from an address in Solon Crescent Plettenberg Bay Central.
Upon arrival he made his way to the rear of the premises where he saw the glass of a sliding door was broken. As he approached the door he saw a suspect who carried items that included a flat-screen television set. Plaatjies instructed the man to put the goods down and to lie on the floor, and he did.
The officer apprehended the suspect and later handed him over for arrest to members with the local South African Police Service when they arrived.
In the wake of the incident, ADT Security’s Garden Route Branch manager, Arno Hattingh commended ARO Plaatjies for his diligence. He also had the following advice for residents who leave their properties unattended for any period of time:
– Always ensure that the alarm system is armed when no-one is around.
– Regularly test the alarm system and additional hardware – such as infra-red detectors – to
ensure that everything is in good working condition and to be sure that the security service provider does in fact receive alarm signals.
– Consider a timer to automatically switch lights on and off.
– Asked a trusted neighbour to empty the mailbox daily.