Following up on information regarding housebreaking suspects, officers attached to the Ladysmith Community Service Centre (CSC), Visible Policing and Detective Service Centre recently made two arrests.
A 25-year-old suspect was arrested in the Tsakane area on Tuesday (July 25).
Police then spent several hours, working into the early hours of Wednesday morning, tracking down stolen property that the suspect had either sold to members of the community or had given to them in lieu of payment for money loaned.
On Wednesday (July 26), a second suspect aged 27 was arrested and more stolen property recovered. The recovered property includes microwaves, several flat-screen TVs, a sound system and clothing.
Thus far, the stolen items have been linked to six housebreaking cases which happened in and around the Steadville area.
The suspects made a point of not only taking the electronic items, but also searched the houses for the original packaging.
They then placed the electronic items in their original packaging, which they used to make the possession of the stolen items seem more legitimate.
Also read: 2 young criminals caught in the act during break-in in Surat Road
Also read: Update: Ladysmith 6-year-old boy forced to watch as robber points gun at his sleeping parents
Also read: Yet another attempted house robbery in Tanjore Road
Members of the public are requested to be aware of the fact that criminals may use this ploy when selling stolen items.
Do not accept anything anyone says at face value; always take extra precautions to verify that the item being offered for sale (or being offered to you in lieu of payment of a loan) is in fact not stolen.
Remember, being in possession of stolen goods is a crime.
The suspects are due to appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court today (July 28), where they face charges of housebreaking and theft.
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