A smash-and-grab suspect, who was caught on camera attacking a motorist on Jakes Gerwel Drive on 3 September, has been arrested in Langa.

The City’s SSIU teamed up with SAPS to arrest the suspect in Langa early this morning, 9 September.

The attack happened on the corner of Jakes Gerwel Drive and Jakkelsvlei Avenue in the Bonteheuwel area last Thursday, just before 17:30.

A motorist, who was identified as Edgemead resident Rudi van den Bergh, was stabbed in the arm three times during an altercation with the suspect, who had smashed his passenger-side window.

Van den Bergh drove off, dragging the suspect along and eventually managed to get away.

READ MORE: Man fights off smash and grabber at Jakes Gerwel Drive hotspot

A case was registered at Bishop Lavis SAPS and in the days that followed, officers were able to identify the suspect via CCTV and trace him.

He was arrested at 05:00 this morning in Langa. SSIU Officers also recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack.

The suspect will appear in Bishop Lavis Court on Friday, 11 September, on charges of attempted robbery, Malicious Damage to property, and Assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm.

The MMC of Safety and Security, JP Smith, has commended everyone involved in this arrest.

“It shows how collaboration and the use of technology can achieve results. It is my sincere hope that there can be a swift prosecution in this case; smash-and-grabbers operate with impunity and often get away with their crimes as incidents are not reported.”

Smith has also asked the communities along this particular corridor to speak out against these criminals.

If you have any information that can lead to arrests and help us curb smash-and-grab attacks, report it to the City’s information-for-reward hotline, 24/7 on 0800 110077.