An alleged murder suspect’s futile attempts to evade arrest eventually ran out when members of the Anti-Gang Unit arrested him yesterday morning, January 15, whilst hiding in a house in William Slammert Drive in Bloemendal.
It is alleged that on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at about 12:15, the body of Alviro Potberg (27) was found lying next to a boundary wall in the street at the corners of Baatjies and Fitchard Roads in Helenvale. He sustained a gunshot wound in his eye and died at the scene.
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that as the investigation unfolded, the suspect, a gang affiliate, was identified and police were on the hunt for him. “Yesterday morning, AGU members acted on information received of the possible whereabouts of the alleged suspect. The house in Bloemendal was tactically approached and the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling,” she said.
The suspect, aged 28, is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court tomorrow on a charge of murder.
In another unrelated incident, AGU members arrested a 33-year-old Missionvale man soon after responding to a complaint of a shooting incident in Monza Street, Missionvale. The suspect was spotted running in Phoenix Street and was intercepted in Cadillac Street where he was arrested.
“As he ran, members noticed him hiding something in a bucket inside a shack. A silver .38 revolver (serial number filed off) was recovered,” Naidu added.
The suspect was detained on a charge of the possession of a prohibited firearm and will also appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brig. Thandiswa Kupiso, applauded the efforts of the Anti-Gang Unit and warned gang members that they will continue to infiltrate the gang hotspots and occupy their spaces in order to ensure the safety of the communities.
“It is only a matter of time before we as the police flush them out and arrest them,” Kupiso said.
