Emergency medical services personnel robbed while assisting elderly patient in Bonteheuwel"
Emergency medical services personnel targeted by thieves while assisting an elderly patient in Bonteheuwel.
Image: Supplied
Heartless thugs robbed EMS personnel while loading an elderly patient into an ambulance in Bluegum Avenue, Bonteheuwel.
During the incident on Wednesday morning, a medical personnel’s bag was stolen. But thanks to tip-offs from the residents, the thieves were busted soon after by local neighbourhood safety officers.
Police arrested two men, aged 21 and 30 years old, for possession of the stolen property. They were found with fifteen rounds of ammunition.
Western Cape Health Department spokesperson Shimoney Regter confirmed that the staff and patient were not harmed during the ordeal.
Regter said: “We can confirm that an incident occurred early [on Wednesday] morning in Bonteheuwel while EMS personnel were loading a patient into an ambulance.
“During the incident, an EMS member’s bag was stolen. Thankfully, our staff members and the patient are safe.
“The stolen items have since been recovered, thanks to the swift response and support of the Bonteheuwel community and community leaders. We extend our sincere appreciation for their assistance.
“Attacks on EMS staff are unacceptable and place both personnel and patients at serious risk.”
The stolen bag belonging to EMS personnel, recovered thanks to swift community action.
Image: Supplied
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the duo was found with the stolen bag and is expected to make their first appearance at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court once charged.
Twigg reported: “Bishop Lavis police arrested two male suspects aged 21 and 30 for possession of stolen property this morning.”
Two suspects arrested by local neighbourhood safety officers after robbing EMS workers in Bonteheuwel.
Image: Supplied
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie praised the community for coming together to catch the thieves.
He added: “Very quickly, we assembled our neighbourhood safety officers in Bonteheuwel, together we received a ton of information from community members as to who was robbed, the whereabouts of the people who did the robbing and as much information as possible, which we greatly appreciate.
“I can gladly confirm now that both suspects have been arrested with the stolen property on them, as well as fifteen rounds of ammunition as well.
“Once again, a great job done by our Neighbourhood safety officers in Bonteheuwel, the community for providing the information and the combined effort by all our enforcement services to make sure we continue to keep Bonteheuwel safe.”