Gathering evidence was a challenge but persistent investigation led to a successful breakthrough
ROSEBANK – Detective Constable Sabelo Ndlalane warned shoppers that whenever you go to a shop, leave all your problems outside the door and concentrate on what you are there to buy, pay and thereafter you can revisit your problems.
Through persistent investigation detectives of Rosebank Police Station were behind the conviction of two shoplifters.
According to Detective Constable Sabelo Ndlalane, in August, two shoplifting suspects were caught working in tandem.
He said, “They were caught by the security personnel and people from the shop. In cases like those, it’s difficult to bring forth the evidence because they [suspects] may back each other up. Based on the investigation, however, we were able to gather enough evidence to be used in court for prosecution and a sentence.”
Ndlalane added that the crime occurred two months ago and sentencing was passed down in October which was commendable because in most cases it took longer. The detective said both offenders were sentenced to four years each after the judiciary had taken into account their previous offences.
Speaking on shoplifting, the spokesperson of the station Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe said, “Some people successfully conceal small items and some can even conceal big items. However, with security in most of the shops, they do arrest and bring them to the police for further detention.”
He added that all shops were vulnerable to shoplifting which was committed by both men and women. Mdletshe said an arrest may be made with immediate effect by security personnel at the particular shop.
“So, they [shop security] will call us and what we normally do is assess the footage and if there is none, we communicate with store security who give us a statement of how the suspect was caught and how they concealed the stolen items.
“There are incidents whereby people tend to act like they had forgotten to pay. If one is found holding an item red-handed, without paying, we will take it as confirmation of shoplifting because we are not doctors who will assess one’s state of mind at the time. We will definitely arrest you.”
He warned shoppers that ‘whenever you go to a shop, leave all your problems outside the door and concentrate on what you are there to buy, pay and thereafter you can revisit your problems’.
“We cannot as the police be found to be favouring or understanding of people who claim to have forgotten to pay.”
He concluded by saying that shoplifting was not about being poor, of middle-income or rich, it affected all classes, races and nationalities and police were going to take harsher action against shoplifters because it was a growing trend.
Details: Rosebank Police Station 011 778 4700.
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