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An Isipingo Rail family are grateful to their security company and the police whose quick response saved their home from being burgled last Tuesday afternoon.

According to Papwa Place resident, Premesh Manickchund, 61, he had taken his wife, Hemwanthie to the RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth for treatment when the incident occurred.

Manickchund said, “We were about to return home, when my daughter-in-law suggested that we go to the Take and Pay shopping centre. While shopping, I received a call that my house was being broken into. We rushed home to find many police vehicles, the Durban Flying Squad and Alpha Alarms Security Company. The thief was spotted by my neighbour who became suspicious when she saw the man in our yard. At first, she thought that it might be my son’s employee but when she saw him shatter the bathroom window pane, she called Alpha Alarms Security Company. He had managed to break the burglar guards and gained entry into the house. I am pleased with the service of the security company and the police who arrested the robber.”

He said that the frightening increase in the number of house breakings in the area indicates that the community should rally together and take action against criminals by forming a neighbourhood watch.

Isipingo SAPS spokesman, Cpt Ntombifuthi Mthiyane said police responded to a call of house breaking in progress from an Alpha Alarm armed response officer.

“When the security guard arrived at the premises, he realised that the suspect was still inside the house and he called the police for back up. Members of Isipingo SAPS and the Durban Flying Squad responded. The suspect refused to surrender so police and members of the security company entered the house. After searching the house police discovered that the suspect was hiding in the ceiling. Police tackled the suspect but he managed to disarm a security guard of his firearm. However, police overpowered the suspect and recover the firearm,” she said.

The 25-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with robbery, house breaking, unlawful possession of a firearm, a magazine and ammunition.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court.