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Brooklyn, Pretoria — A phone snatcher who was caught on camera stealing a woman’s phone as she arrived at an establishment in Brooklyn, on the eastern side of Pretoria, has been arrested.
The shocking incident, which quickly circulated on social media, showed the suspect brazenly targeting the woman before fleeing the scene with her device. The viral video sparked public outrage and prompted authorities to act swiftly.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed the arrest, stating, “JMPD can confirm the arrest of a male suspect in Hillbrow this morning. The suspect is linked to incidents related to phone snatching in the Gauteng province and also linked to a recent video that has been going viral of suspects snatching the phone of a lady.”
According to Fihla, the JMPD’s tactical response unit is actively investigating whether more individuals were involved in the crime. “Officers are still investigating to see if more suspects can be arrested, and further information will then be shared,” he added.
The arrest comes as a relief to residents in Pretoria, who have increasingly expressed concern over the rise in street crimes, particularly mobile phone thefts. Many social media users praised the quick action of the police, emphasizing the role of citizen footage in helping authorities track down criminals.
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon, facing charges related to theft and involvement in previous phone-snatching incidents across Gauteng. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the suspect or related crimes to come forward and assist with ongoing investigations.
This case serves as a reminder to residents to remain vigilant, especially when arriving at or leaving establishments, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
