A motorist and known arrest warrant dodger with 30 outstanding warrants totalling more than R100 000 was among those apprehended by City enforcement agencies during weekly operations.
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During their weekly patrols, the City’s enforcement agencies arrested 399 suspects and issued 71 861 fines. Meanwhile, traffic officers arrested a motorist on arrest warrants totalling R101 700.
On Thursday, traffic officers were in the Heideveld area, tracing the top 100 offenders with outstanding warrants.
The officers saw a vehicle on their list, but the driver refused to stop and sped away. He eventually abandoned the vehicle and ran away, but officers apprehended him.
The suspect was positively identified as being on the list, with thirty outstanding warrants. He was detained at the Wynberg Police Station and appeared in municipal court the next day.
During weekly patrols, traffic officers issued 64 765 fines, impounded 151 public transportation vehicles and executed 1 909 arrest warrants.
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Officers also arrested 69 motorists: 51 for driving under the influence of alcohol, seven for reckless and negligent driving, and 11 for various offences such as possession of a stolen vehicle, false documentation and assault on an officer.
Last week, law enforcement officers conducted more than 650 enforcement operations, made 267 arrests and issued 4 657 notices for various offences.
Metro police officers made 63 arrests and issued 2 439 traffic and bylaw fines.
Officers arrested a suspect in Manenberg on Sunday for possessing a hijacked vehicle during what began as a routine traffic stop.
Officers pulled over a Ford Figo and discovered that there was no licence disc.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been hijacked, the number plates were fake, and it had been used in an armed robbery.
A 39-year-old suspect was detained at the Manenberg Police Station.
Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said: ‘In the past week we saw an increase in arrests compared to the previous week, but also another warrant dodger ending up behind bars.’
‘These successes are incredibly encouraging, considering the often difficult circumstances that our staff have to contend with. I am particularly happy with the regular gains being made against habitual law breakers,’ Smith said.
‘We have far too many road users who think they are untouchable – that is until the long arm of the law catches up with them.’
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 849 incidents over the weekend.
Calls included assistance with broken-down vehicles, medical emergencies and by-law violations.
The high number of physical assault cases remains a major concern. Agents responded to 91 calls for assistance, 46 of which were firearm-related assault case.
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Picture: JP Smith/ Facebook