PHOTO: Andrew Cornew
WHILE preaching to his congregation on Sunday, Pastor Rowen Hughes’ family home was broken into for the second time in a month.
However, this time the thief, known by the family, was caught red-handed and apprehended.
Three weeks prior to the break-in this Sunday, the burglar bars had been prised open, the window forced open and an unknown number of criminals entered the Hughes’ home. jewelry, clothing, PSPs and cash was taken and the criminals even went so far as to eat the MacDonalds meal that was in the fridge
The Hughes returned from church, opened the house and went inside. It was only when Lily, Rowen Hughes’ wife, noticed the burglar bars had been forced open, did they realise somebody had been in their house.
The police were called, took fingerprints and opened a case, but according to Lily, nothing has come of it.
Then, this past Sunday as they were driving back from church along Fynn Crescent, they spotted a man they recognised carrying a shopping bag. As they drove past him, he covered his head with his jacket and made a dash for it. ‘I said to my husband, ‘I know that man, I have received social media messages concerning him and his involvement in suspected criminal activity in Richards Bay.’
Rowen drove the last few metres to their house and ran inside. After a few seconds he was back outside shouting, ‘we have been robbed again!’
Quickly jumping back into the car, Rowen took off after the fleeing suspect. After a short chase by car and then on foot, Rowen managed to catch up with the suspect and wrestled him to the ground. He was detained until the police arrived and when they did, they found items from the Hughes’ house in his possession.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and appeared in court.
Business Against Crime Manager Dave Wittaker said, ‘There has been a marked increase in the number of attempted break-ins, in and around Fynn Crescent the past week and extra police patrols are on duty.
‘The suspects are moving in quickly and are disappearing just as fast. Residents need to be alert and aware,’ he added.
Wittaker has a community Facebook page where updates on criminal activity in Empangeni are made on a daily basis and can be viewed by the public. For regular information visit EMPANGENI – REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
