The ID book belonging to missing German tourist Nick Frischke was found among recovered stolen property in Hangberg, Hout Bay on Tuesday, 21 February 2023.
Also read: Search continues for missing 22-year-old German tourist
A worried resident raised the alarm after seeing Frischke’s ID book listed in a logbook that was going around WhatsApp groups. The logbook showed stolen items that were found when two suspects were arrested in Hangberg, as reported by News24.
According to a statement posted on the Hout Bay Policing Forum’s Facebook page: “Police officers conducted an operation in response to a house robbery that took place on Friday, 17 February 2023.”
The statement read: “The members followed up on information and searched a bungalow and found two suspects aged 22 and 23 inside a dwelling in Hangberg. The two suspects will be linked with other cases, including armed robbery, house robbery, possession of a stolen firearm, unlicensed ammunition and possession of drugs.”
According to Hout Bay Police’s Station Commander, Lt Col Jerome Syster, Hout Bay Police Station was unaware that Frischke was missing.
Syster said, “The person was not reported as missing at our police station. He was reported as missing at Pinelands Police Station.”
The Hout Bay Police have extended the search for Frischke to include the area in and around Seal Island. Authorities suspect he went missing on the Hangberg trail between Hout Bay and Sandy Bay.
Despite a comprehensive search of the area carried out by multiple teams including the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue drone team, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) search and rescue team, a Police K9 search and rescue team, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSR) members and WSAR K9 search and rescue, Frischke remains unfound.
According to police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, Frischke arrived in South Africa on 6 February and was last seen on 15 February 2023.
Frischke was last seen wearing blue denim shorts with white takkies, a beige t-shirt and a backpack.
Anyone with information that could help find Frischke and lead to his return is asked to call Detective Sergeant Daluxolo Mhlauli at 076 609 0764 or call Crime Stop at (800) 101-11.
Also read:
NSRI Hout Bay joins efforts to locate 22-year-old German tourist
Picture: Tom Frischke / Facebook