Detectives in Port Elizabeth are looking for a good Samaritan who on Tuesday not only made a citizens arrest but also cracked open an investigation of two fishermen, who were stabbed and robbed on Monday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says a Warrant Officer from the Mount Road police station was on his way to work when he noticed a civilian stopping his car in Cape Road and running after two people.
She says the officer knew that something was wrong and followed them in his car.
It is alleged that a 28-year-old woman was standing outside her place of employment, talking on her phone, when two suspects grabbed her device and ran away.
Colonel Naidu says the officer noticed one of the suspects jumping over the wall of a schoolyard and drove around to block him off.
She says by then, the unknown Samaritan had already apprehended the other suspect.
While still busy with the suspect, another person brought the stolen cellphone which the suspect allegedly dropped while running.
Colonel Naidu says the suspect is a 17-year-old teenager who was also in possession of a wallet, bank and shopping cards, as well as the ID cards of two different people.
She says police later established that one of the ID cards belonged to a 22-year-old man whose place was broken into in Windemere Road in Humewood the night before, whilst the other ID belonged to a 66-year-old fisherman who was attacked alongside his 76-year-old friend.
The men were fishing at the Blue Hole in Marine Drive on Monday when they were attacked.
The teenager was charged with robbery and possession of stolen property and will appear in the Nerina House Juvenile Court on Thursday.
Naidu says more charges could be added as the investigation continues.
She has urged the civilian who made the arrest to come forward to make a statement.
