Hero car guard stops carjacking suspect in N1 City parking lot

A suspected carjacker was caught red-handed in the parking lot at N1 City Mall in Goodwood, thanks to the quick thinking of a car guard on Sunday.

The hero, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Voice that he has been a car guard for more than 10 years at the mall.

He said that he was aware of the alleged criminals modus operandi as he had been scoping out targets in the parking lot for a while.

“Last month he tried to target a Toyota Conquest, but Sunday it was not his day. He came to the mall on Saturday, he went inside the mall and I called my supervisor because every day he comes to the mall and I inform management," the guard said.

“On Saturday, he had another person with him in a getaway car. I kept my eyes on him, seeing how he goes in and out of the mall without anything.

“On Sunday, I saw him trying to break into a car, but he struggled to get it open. He then went inside the mall and I called my supervisor to come and assist.

“I noticed when he came out he had his eyes on the same car which was similar to one he (allegedly) stole last month. He tried to open the car and that’s when we approached and caught him.”

His superior, Shabani, said that each day before work they always pray and keep their eyes open for any suspicious activity.

Goodwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Abdallah Sydney said he was informed of the arrest by one of the members of the Ruyterwacht neighbourhood (NHW) patrols community.

“(The member) happened to be shopping there and he informed me, that is when I rushed to the scene. When I arrived the management were busy chasing the people.

“They saw this elderly guy in the car who tried to get away from the guards... He didn’t get very far and the tools that he used were thrown under one of the other cars.

“I must also commend the Maitland Flying Squad who were on the scene almost immediately and spotted the other perpetrator in the getaway car,” Sydney said.

He added that the elderly suspect could be between 50 and 60 years of age, however he is alleged to be a part of a carjacking syndicate.

Sydney added: “We had another case in Goodwood in 2021, also the same guy and his partner and he was also wanted in another case in Woodstock.”