Police help track down Joburg’s mysterious Fugitives
22/05/13 Listeners to Joburg’s Number 1 Hit Music Station have been tracking down the BP Fugitive for a month, using only a few cryptic clues given out on air as well as additional tips tweeted by five full time trackers, the Bounty Hunters.
R500 000 has been won by listeners who have successfully tracked down the Fugitives, including R100 000 won by two bold cross dressers who pulled out all the stops to impress the Fugitives by dressing like a member of the opposite sex.
On Thursday 9th December, the final bounty was claimed but the public still didn’t know the identity of the Fugitives.
Darren Simpson from the Breakfast Xpress called Director Sally de Beer from SAPS, to see if the country’s top reaction team could bring the Fugitives to their broadcast at Silverstar Casino.
“Highveld has been a keen promoter of Crime Line and we have just reached 1 000 arrests following information sent to the anonymous tip off line,” said Director de Beer. “This seemed like a fitting way to thank the station for their efforts in this regard.”
“It is also an opportunity to showcase SAPS readiness ahead of the festive season,” she added.
To thank SAPS for helping them to catch the Fugitive, and for the incredible work the Police force does in general, BP donated R15 000 to the Police Widows and Orphans Fund.
“BP is committed to the communities we operate in and we know that the SAPS are too,” said Tristao Abro, BP’s brand and insights manager. “Having the police come in to capture The Fugitives was a great touch and we wanted to thank them for their efforts.”
Following Darren’s call, the flying squad was dispatched with a set of GPS co-ordinates for The Fugitives’ location. The officers swooped in, captured the pair, bundled them into their vehicles and headed to Silverstar Casino, escorted by a SAPS chopper.
The big reveal unveiled two interesting characters. 25-Year-old stand up comedian, Dale Amler nearly turned down the opportunity to be The BP Fugitive.
“I had to write my CFA finance qualification exams three weeks into the promotion and so I declined at first, but soon realised that I would be missing out on something amazing.”
Despite a particularly tough day balancing The Fugitive with his exam, Dale says he’s really enjoyed the experience and it has given him a fortune of material for his stand up routine.
His partner in hiding, Talitha Ndima is a 27-year old actress, who was very grateful for Dale’s endless jokes during their long hours of waiting.
“He practiced his routines on me all day, so we laughed a lot,” she said.
Both BP Fugitives agreed that the highlight of the campaign was the reaction of the winners.
“Most people didn’t believe us when we said we were the BP Fugitive, but when it sank in, their expressions were priceless,” said Talitha.
“My favourite was the winner in Bronkhorstspruit,” said Dale. “She was so excited she collapsed, and her partner pulled me out of the car and hugged me so hard he lifted me off the ground!”
For footage of the capture and reveal of the BP Fugitives visit www.highveld.co.za | 
