Uvongo clothes thief jailed for five years thanks to alert officers

After just a few short months on the South Coast, Detective Sergeant Mari Pelzer (43) has secured her first conviction.

Sgt Pelzer transferred from Pretoria to the Margate police station in June this year, and she is already putting criminals behind bars.

Phillip Jansen van Vuuren (42) pleaded guilty to theft and was last month sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the Port Shepstone Regional Court.

ALSO READ: Laundry thief nabbed

In July, Van Vuuren stole clothing to the value of R5 000 from the washing line at a home in Uvongo, and then sold the clothing at the taxi rank.

However, camera footage caught Van Vuuren in the act.

Being new to the area, D/Sgt Pelzer asked her colleague and seasoned detective, Warrant Officer Michael Welsh, for his help in cracking the case.

Upon viewing the camera footage, W/O Welsh had a sneaking suspicion as to who the person could possibly be.

Then, in a stroke of luck, while W/O Welsh was driving through Margate, he spotted the man.

He promptly arrested the suspect, and contacted Sgt Pelzer who compiled the docket and charged him with theft.

Sgt Pelzer, who has spent the majority of her career in the narcotics and sexual offences field, is now focusing on general investigations.

She said she was very impressed by her detective team which, she says, is on the ball, and ‘knows the ins and outs’ of the area.

“I was so worried coming to a new police station but everyone has been helpful and very nice, even teaching me to speak Zulu.

“I have never felt so welcome. My commander is a great leader and is very caring toward us,” she said.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033