John de Villiers. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Former Springbok Captain Jean de Villiers’ The actions have been praised after it came to light that he pursued and arrested a suspected thief in Paarl.
De Villiers confirmed to red24 who saw a man allegedly stuffing chocolates into her bag before leaving The Boer & Butcher on January 23.
Shop owner Edu Hanekom told the Afrikaans publication that De Villiers and his wife Marlie, who are regular customers, were at the checkout when the former midfielder first saw the man acting suspiciously.
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Hanekom said De Villiers followed the suspected shoplifter out of the store. The man tried to run away, but the former Stormers star caught him and took him back to the store.
“We are very grateful for Jean’s actions. It was quite an event when a former Springbok rugby captain arrived with the thief,” Hanekom said.
Screenshots from surveillance footage showed de Villiers chasing the suspect, before returning and handing him over to a security guard.
John de Villiers. (Photo: The Boer and the Butcher)
John de Villiers. (Photo: The Boer and the Butcher)
John de Villiers. (Photo: The Boer and the Butcher)
Jean de Villiers pursues a suspected thief. (Photo: The Boer and the Butcher)
Netwerk24 also cited a voice note from De Villiers reminiscing about the incident. “I watched him the whole time without him seeing that I was watching him.
“And when I looked again, he started walking slowly. And when he came out, I also walked slowly behind him.”
“When I said ‘hey,’ he looked around and started running. So I said to myself, but I have to run now too. And then I ran out of sandals and glasses and finally crossed the street.”
De Villiers eventually caught the man in Internal Affairs in Paarl. The suspected thief was returned to The Boer & Butcher and handed over to security personnel.
De Villiers, 41, played 109 tests for the Springboks between 2002 and 2015.
