14/01/2026
Cellphone thief apprehended in Durban North
A security officer at a well-known Durban North school was left shaken after his mobile phone was stolen from the guard room while he briefly assisted a parent on site on Tuesday, 6 January.
The incident occurred when the room was left unattended for a short period. Upon his return, the officer discovered the device missing.
Marshall Security spokesperson Tyron Powell said armed response officers were immediately dispatched to investigate. “A review of the school’s CCTV footage revealed that an unknown suspect entered the unattended guard room, swiftly stole the cellphone, and fled the scene. A detailed description of the suspect was subsequently obtained and circulated to all operational teams,” he said.
He added that later that afternoon, at approximately 4.30pm , members of Marshall Security’s Special Operations Team (SOT), while conducting routine patrols along Kenneth Kaunda Road, spotted an individual matching the circulated description. Durban North SAPS Crime Prevention members were contacted for assistance, and a joint operation led to the suspect’s apprehension.
A search resulted in the recovery of the stolen mobile phone. The suspect and the recovered property were transported to Durban North SAPS for further investigation.
Powell praised the coordinated effort, stating that the incident highlighted the importance of vigilance, rapid response, and strong collaboration between private security and the police.
“Thanks to CCTV footage, effective communication, and proactive patrols, our teams were able to identify, locate, and apprehend the suspect within hours, ensuring the stolen property was recovered.”
