“PHANTOM ” AT WORK
Bag-Snatcher Catcher
(N.Z P A-Reuter)
DURBAN, (South Africa.) Africans call him the “King of the Road" and detectives have nicknamed him "The Phantom.” He is 25-year-old Mr Jean Pretorius, a railway worker, who has one of the most peculiar hobbies imaginable —he catches bag-snatch-ers.
Mr Pretorius, who lives in Mayville, Durban, really takes his hobby seriously. In the last three years he has caught 95 bag-snatchers, 94 of whom were convicted in court.
When he finishes work he scarcely allows himself time to wash and change. Just as an angler would take up his fishing bag and rod, Mr Pretorius pockets his handcuffs and .22 revolver to go after his own particular choice of “fish.” This one-man crimebuster has an uncanny sixth sense for trouble and often follows a suspect for blocks before pouncing.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19641222.2.224
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 20
Word Count
137“PHANTOM” AT WORK Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 20
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