After a troubling series of motorcycle thefts and dog poisonings in Bloemfontein, two suspects have been arrested, thanks to the diligent efforts of local security companies and community policing initiatives.
In the past month, five motorcycles were stolen from homes in Wilgehof, Gardenia Park, Universitas, and Dan Pienaar. The recent arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the investigation, with the last suspect apprehended in the early hours of this morning.
Tiaan Snyman from Senforce, in collaboration with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) Sector 3, made the first arrest on Tuesday just before 01:00. While patrolling Commandant Erwee Street in Wilgehof, he noticed a suspicious individual and alerted nearby security personnel. Utilizing footage from a CPF CCTV camera, they quickly located the suspect hiding in the grass. Upon his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a polony mixture believed to be used in previous dog poisonings.
Captain Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the police, confirmed the 44-year-old suspect’s arrest, linking him to both the thefts and the poisoning incidents reported on Tuesday, 22 October.
In a coordinated effort early this morning, Jeandré Swarts and Snyman from Senforce, along with the SAPS Flying Squad, the Fichardtpark Neighbourhood Association (FWA), and members of Tracker, acted on intelligence to raid a location in Phase 10. Their efforts led to the recovery of two stolen motorcycles and the arrest of a second suspect, identified through video evidence.
The spate of thefts began on September 16, when Samantha Cilliers discovered a motorcycle missing from Montgomery Street. “The previous day we found a black jersey in front of our house. We removed it and thought nothing of it. After the incident, we thought it might have been a sign to someone,” she recounted. Upon waking up the next morning of 16 September, she found their motorcycle had been stolen and both of her dogs dead.
CCTV footage revealed the alarming sequence of events: two men entered her yard, fed something to the dogs, and then left. Shortly after, two others came to push the motorcycle out of the yard.
Further incidents occurred, including the poisoning of dogs and the theft of a motorcycle in Ryno Kriel Avenue on 22 October, and the theft of another motorcycle belonging to Hendrik Hattingh on 24 October.
Since the onset of this crime wave, security firms including Senforce, Fidelity ADT, and the FWA have intensified patrols in the affected areas.
Both suspects are now in custody, and the investigation is ongoing with the Park Road Police. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
