Strandfontein residents were left shocked and amused by a video of a “Spiderman skelm” jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
It is alleged the man had tried to steal cheese from the local Spar in Wavecrest, but was caught and then escaped by scaling several roofs in Britannica Way.
A worker at Spar explains: “He tried to steal cheese, but security caught him, they took the stuff back and he managed to get away.”
The video was captured by a private security camera on a property in Britannica Way.
A second video, with the Spiderman theme song dubbed over it, has gone viral
A 42-year-old resident says: “It was shocking to see, it was like he was flying from one roof to another, he did such a leap thing where his body stretched out and he landed on all fours.
“Here, we will first moer whoever enters our residence before we call the police and want to make it known that we won’t stand back when our safe space is invaded.”
The video captures the nimble thief leaping over at least four roofs before he disappears from view.
Strandfontein CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter said “Spiderman” is still at large.
“There were residents who expressed how angry they were because they work hard for their money and these guys think they can just enter your property and take what you have worked hard for,” she says.
“The residents are overall gatvol of the crime happening in Wavecrest, which is in direct relation to the problematic vuil huis in Punt Road, where tikkoppe go to smoke or buy drugs.”
Schuter says the CPF, Strandfontein SAPS and other volunteer patrollers have all emailed Philippi SAPS to address the situation in Punt Road as the area falls in their precinct.
“We need more eyes and ears on the ground, we (CPF) cannot be everywhere.
“We are asking residents to report crime to SAPS when they see something happening so that we can address the matter.
“Often things are posted on social media and SAPS isn’t aware of this because people have not reported it.”
Residents can call Strandfontein SAPS on 021 370 1501.