Caught! Photo: SAPS

Three men who used a rented Toyota Etios with false number plates for a housebreaking spree in Melkbosstrand and Philadelphia today have been caught thanks to the joint efforts of the police of Melkbosstrand, Table View and neighbourhood watches. According to police spokesperson Constable Debbie Alard the men were first seen attempting a crowbar style break-in in Philadelphia around 12.45 pm.

Licence plate recognition cameras spotted the car entering Melkbosstrand. “A crowbar style entry” in Melkbosstrand was reported and the vehicle was also seen in Duynefontein. As the Toyota Atios speeded out of Melkbosstrand the rapid response team gave chase. Police asked for the road to be blocked off at Big Bay Boulevard and the R27. A huge truck was also used to block off the road. The men were apprehended on the corner of Berkshire Boulevard & R27, heading south. Table View police arrested the three men around 13.35; not so long after they had started their morning’s work. They had two televisions, jewellery and other goods in their possession.

The car was rented from Avis, and has been linked to a crowbar-style incident in Fish Hoek on 31 August. Constable Alard confirms that two houses in Melkbosstrand were broken into.