A man was arrested for attempting to kidnap a 13-year-old boy in Trenance Park, Verulam, on Thursday, 13 February. The suspect, armed with a knife, was spotted by residents of Marula Circle chasing the child into a residential property.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) were called to the scene by several residents who witnessed the incident. Whilst officers were en route, further calls were received updating that the suspect was armed and had gained entry into a home in an attempt to kidnap the child.
Rusa spokesperson, Prem Balram, said: “Reaction officers converged on the home and found an injured man outside the premises. He identified himself as one of the residents of the home and informed officers that a man armed with a knife was inside his home.”
Balram continued: “Officers surrounded the premises, covering all exits and entrances. The home was searched, and a man was found inside the bedroom with the door locked. Officers forced the door open after the suspect refused to exit. He drew a knife but was immediately tackled to the ground and arrested.”
It was established that the suspect had followed the child on foot from a school in Phoenix. The pupil took a shortcut through Zwelisha and noticed that the man was in possession of a knife. The child continued to walk past his own home, and the suspect closed in on him. At that stage, the grade 9 pupil ran into the home of an unknown person, with the suspect in pursuit.
Balram said: “Inside the residence, a man and woman were attacked by the suspect when they confronted him. The man sustained head injuries when he was assaulted on his head with a steel lock and a broken bottle. The home belonged to a Colonel from the South African Police Services (SAPS). The child was uninjured.”
