DURBAN - The arrest of a teenage boy for robbing a jogger of her cellphone in Durban North on Monday morning has been met with shock and calls for his punishment.
Marshall Security spokesperson Tyron Powell said their emergency dispatch centre received numerous WhatsApp messages on various crime alert groups where it was reported that a woman jogger had been robbed of her iPhone on Adelaide Tambo Drive in the Durban North area by a suspect wielding a sharp metal rod.
Powell said multiple armed response officers and members of their special operations team, together with Homehawks Neighbourhood Watch members, responded to the scene and managed to get a description of the clothes worn by the suspect after interviewing the severely traumatised victim.
“After a short search, the suspect was spotted and arrested on Chelsea Drive by the Homehawks members assisted by our armed response officers. Upon searching the suspect, the iPhone taken during the robbery as well as the weapon used to commit the robbery were found in the suspect’s possession. It was established that the suspect was 13 years of age,” Powell said.
He said the suspect was handed over to Durban North SAPS, who arrived on the scene a short while later.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed that a suspect was arrested by Durban North police and was charged with robbery and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mbele said the suspect was expected to appear in court soon.
Reacting to the news, this is what Facebook users had to say:
Mark Johnson said: “The street lights in Adelaide Tambo haven’t worked in ages.”
Tish Adams said: “Goodness, 13 and robbing already. Hope he/she gets a strong telling off. What do the parents of this child have to say I wonder.”
Cecilia du Plessis said: “Should be in school, hope he gets what's coming to him.”
Karen Gavin said: “Shocking news, well done Marshall. Hope you catch the main man/woman who possibly put this youngster up to it.”
Rachel Naidoo said: “We are unsafe on the beach front… these scoundrels lurking all over, 13-year-old is unbelievable.”
Myron Prince said: “The sad thing about this young criminal, I doubt it is his first time doing this type of crime. All criminal elements from hijacking to murder and robberies and petty crimes should be left on an island to rot!!! At the end of the day they know very well what they are doing when committing these crimes, and the trauma left with all victims is a nightmare which they don't deserve because most of these criminals have no remorse whatsoever, so they should be shown no mercy. Period.”
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