Vosloorus SAPS urges community to be vigilant
Vosloorus SAPS is experiencing many reported cases of house break-ins, business break-ins as well as theft from and out of vehicles.
We appeal to Kathorus MAIL as our partners in combatting crime to assist us by informing the community of this crime tendency.
Stolen goods
SAPS Vosloorus is appealing to the community to make proper arrangements to secure their property while they are away or not home.
Most importantly, SAPS appeals to the public not to create a market for criminals by buying stolen goods.
The objectives of the Second-Hand Goods Act (Act 6 of 2009) are to regulate the business of dealers in second-hand goods and pawnbrokers, to combat trade in stolen goods and to promote ethical standards within the second-hand goods environment.
The act indicates that the buyer of stolen goods is as guilty as the criminal stealing the goods. In essence, any person buying stolen goods is as guilty as the person who originally stole the goods and harsh sentences will apply to both the buyer and the thief.
ALSO READ:Â
CoE jobs and tenders not for sale
The Act also empowers police to arrest both the buyer and the thief, so there is no excuse when it comes to crime.
An unscrupulous dealer, who has been found guilty of failing to comply with the provisions of the Act, may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.
All dealers in second-hand goods are required to report all suspicious transactions to the police when they suspect the seller of goods is providing false information or where the goods are suspected to have been stolen or tampered with.
Second-hand goods dealers and pawnbrokers are requested to not only take reasonable steps to ensure they do not buy stolen goods or goods that have been tampered with, but also to always be vigilant when buying goods from someone.
Play your part in the fight against the buying of stolen goods.
The following examples would be considered suspicious. Question the ownership of the goods immediately by conducting a reference check.
• A car radio with no power cables. A car radio with no holding or mounting bracket.
• A laptop with no carry bag and charger.
• A golf set with accessories like golf balls and gloves. If you find a tag or business card in the bag – does it match the seller?
• A watch that does not fit the wrist of the seller. A man selling a lady’s watch and vice versa.
• A digital camera with photographs still on the memory card or internal memory which looks suspicious, the same for cellphones, laptops and computers.
ALSO READ:Â
• Goods that are password protected and the seller does not know it.
• Goods that are user protected and the user name or profile does not match the seller.
• Electronic goods with no remote control which cannot operate without such.
• Electronic goods where the power or wall plug was cut off.
• Goods that have been serial numbered or marked with a name or company name, for example on power tools.
• Two or more people entering your place trying to sell goods and all parties enter into conversation with you or negotiate a price, for example, two men with a mountain or racing bicycle.
The above tips were issued by Vosloorus Police Station communications officer Capt Piet Rossouw.
Follow us on these platforms:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
