Rape suspect arrested after neighbours collaborated to catch culprit

A suspect has been arrested by the police for being in possession of a cellphone that belongs to a teenager who had been recently raped.

The man was arrested after a Port Elizabeth neighbourhood watch a private security company and the police were alerted. The police said the 29-year-old suspect was arrested at the N2 freeway near Baywest on Monday.

“It is alleged that at about 6.50am, an 18-year-old teenager was standing in Seaview Road in Chelsea waiting for her transport when she was approached by an unknown male. The suspect requested that the teenager walk with him and when she refused, he grabbed her by the arm and took her into the nearby bush where he allegedly raped her. The suspect also took her cellphone and left.”

She reported the crime immediately she got home. After which, the neighbourhood watch, a private secuirity company and the police were contacted. They began their search and investigation aimed at finding the suspect.

The police said the stolen cellphone was found in his possession. He was arrested and detained on a charge of rape and robbery.

He is to appear before Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

Maj-Gen Thembisile Patekile, the Nelson Mandela Bay district police commissioner, commended the efforts of the security company and the neighbourhood watch for partnering and springing to action immediately.

“Partnership between the police and the public must be supported and strengthened by all members of the community. It is through this active partnership that we will be able to work together to reduce and combat crime within the communities we serve,” said Patekile.