Newlands West pastor nabs theft suspect

A NEWLANDS West pastor apprehended one of five suspects believed to have robbed a doctor’s surgery on Monday.

The pastor, who declined to be named, works with the senior minister at a church in the area.

He and a helper were conducting routine maintenance at the church when he spotted a stranger on the property.

“I saw a young man walking through the church building. When the church helper and I tried to question him, he ran across the road and into a field. I checked the property and found four other men hiding.

“When they saw me, they stood up and said they were lost. As I walked closer to them, they tried to scale the fence to escape. I grabbed onto one of them and we got into a tussle. He also escaped, but dropped his cellphone in the process.”

The pastor said he saw two security company vehicles patrolling the area and while they gave chase, he found a jacket and sandals on the property.

He later found out the suspects could have been involved in an armed robbery at a doctor’s surgery in the area.

“While we were on our way back from the doctor’s surgery that day, the helper and I recognised two of the guys who were on the church property, crossing the road. But they wore different clothing.”

They ran after the alleged suspects and managed to apprehend one of them.

He said while it may have been foolish to pursue a suspected robber, he acted out of instinct.

“I did not want them to get away. I didn’t want these guys to continue terrorising the community, while we sit back and do nothing.”

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said they could not confirm if the suspect was involved in the robbery at the surgery.

Three cellphones, two laptops, and an undisclosed amount of cash were taken. The laptops were later found on the road.