Camps Bay bust: Three men arrested for involvement in Eskom Crew crime syndicate

Three men, allegedly members of the "Eskom Crew" syndicate, were arrested during a foiled housebreaking in Camps Bay 

They appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court yesterday, Tuesday, January 6, but the matter was postponed to tomorrow, Thursday, January 8.

According to Camps Bay Camps Bay City Improvement District's (CBCID) public safety technical manager, Bjorn Train, the nickname "Eskom Crew" refers to the group’s modus operandi, which includes disabling or tampering with the electrical supply to gain access to residential properties.

Police spokeswoman Constable Ndakhe Gwala said a case of housebreaking and theft was being investigated. 

Mr Train said CBCID and private security responded to a forced entry on Horak Avenue, in Whitecliffs Platteklip in Camps Bay, on Sunday, December 28, at 9.51pm.

Upon arrival, the men left the stolen property and attempted to flee via a balcony, which was on the third floor of an apartment block.

"It was confirmed that the suspects had disabled the power supply and forced open both the Trellis door and the main entrance door to the apartment," said Mr Train.

He said the operation happened in darkness, and the thieves attacked the responding officers with a crowbar, wrench, and screwdrivers. 

"The suspects were successfully overpowered, subdued, and placed in handcuffs," he said.

The men from Nyanga and Gugulethu face charges of residential burglary, resisting arrest, and possession of stolen property. 

Mr Train indicated that they were part of a prolific burglary syndicate operating across multiple areas and were known to have extensive criminal records linked to similar offences.

"It was further established that the suspects had also attempted to break into a neighbouring apartment and caused damage to security doors at both properties," he said.

Mr Train said recently they have been plagued by two different syndicates, either the Night Crawlers or the Eskom Crew. 

Earlier in December, the district's thermal and license plate recognition (LPR) technology, integrated with closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems, which monitor key boundary areas, nearly led to the apprehension of the Night Crawler syndicate. The name refers to the modus operandi of the syndicate - they tend to hit homes at night and literally crawl on the ground to avoid security beams. 

"Since that near interception, they have not returned to the Camps Bay area," he said.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to the CBCID 24-hour control room on 087 223 2864, Crime Stop on 086 001 0111, or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.