- Residents of Richwood are grappling with a persistent cable thief who evades capture despite neighborhood watch efforts.
- The suspect has been spotted tampering with electrical cables on CCTV but manages to escape each encounter.
- Despite close monitoring and attempts to apprehend him, the thief continues to elude authorities, sparking ongoing concern in the community.
The suspected cable thief who keeps on evading the local neighbourhood watch in Richwood is causing headaches for residents in the area. The suspect, who has been spotted tampering with electrical cables on CCTV cameras, and is yet to be caught.
Last week Glenn Marais, chair of the Richwood Neighbourhood Watch (RNW), said he first noticed the suspect on his CCTV.
While monitoring the CCTV which covers the area known as the “Island” he noticed that the electrical covers of two of the light poles were missing. He also noticed that the soil by the one pole had been disturbed.
“That evening I decided to monitor the area, but also informed our RNW operations group of what was happening. I picked up movement and zoomed in on one suspect busy digging away.
“Our operations group was notified, but as soon as the suspect noticed the team, he ran off over the N7,” Marais explains.
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He says the next morning the suspect was back, but that he had moved off after noticing human movement.
“That evening I again picked him up on my CCTV and sent out the alert. This time several role-players responded, but there was confusion on his position so he again got away.
“Two nights later he returned and this time our patrollers went straight to the N7 to block him off, but he ran off and fired a shot at our patrollers so they withdrew. He seems to have been spooked but I know he will be back as the electric cable has already been exposed,” says Marais.
He says they are certain that they will catch the suspect.
“Every night I sit up monitoring and waiting for his appearance. Hopefully its soon so he can be arrested and charged,” Marais says.
