(Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels)
The Western Cape police confirmed that two men, aged 21 and 30 respectively, were arrested on Wednesday for possession of stolen property following an incident in which paramedics were robbed in Bonteheuwel.
According to the police, the incident took place in Bluegum Avenue when the personal belongings of the medical staff, who were on duty, were grabbed from their ambulance.
Angus Mackenzie, DA councilor from Bonteheuwel, says paramedics were loading an elderly patient into the ambulance when the attackers struck and grabbed a bag.
The police launched a search shortly after the incident and located the two suspects with the stolen bag.
“The community and neighborhood watch all stepped in and helped track down the suspects,” says Mackenzie.
The pair are expected to make their first appearance at Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
(Photo: Camilo Jimenez/Unsplash)
Mackenzie described the actions of law enforcement as swift and efficient. He says the patient did arrive safely at the hospital, but later died. No one was injured during the incident.
He strongly condemned the incident and said that the community in Bonteheuwel is not used to this kind of violence.
“The men and women who drive ambulances are there to help our mothers, fathers, children and grandparents. When you rob an ambulance, you’re not just committing a crime – you’re attacking the whole community,” he said.