SIXTEEN laptops suspected to have been stolen were recovered, thanks to the work of two Brighton Beach SAPS officers and a tip-off from a concerned community member.
A man spoke to Brighton Beach SAPS’s Warrant Officer Shoba and Constable Ngcongo about laptops he suspected may have been stolen.
The man was asked to repair one, then a second soon thereafter. Following that he was asked to fix a large quantity more, which raised his suspicions.
He provided the officers with a number for the man with the laptops and they called him, pretending to be prospective buyers. They arranged to meet in Jacobs to view and buy the laptops.
“They met up with two men and were told to await the arrival of others who had the merchandise. Two men arrived in a vehicle and the seller with his friend moved towards the vehicle and returned with a sports bag containing eight laptops, some still covered in plastic,” said media officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
It was then that W/O Shoba and Cst Ngcongo identified themselves as police officers. “Upon enquiring as to how they had secured possession of the items, the men claimed it was given to them by a fifth party residing in Inanda, to sell off these items within the Wentworth and Umlazi area as there was allegedly a market there for the laptops. Further investigations led to the seizure of six laptops from a home in Umlazi and another two from a nearby house.”
The four 22-year-olds were charged for being in possession of property suspected to be stolen.
“Brighton Beach SAPS management commends W/O Shoba and Cst Ngcongo on the arrest of the four men and recovery of the 16 laptops. We also acknowledge the member of the public who came forward and made a report to the police about his suspicions.
The SAPS encourage people to reject stolen goods afforded to them. Make an anonymous report by calling the Crime Stop hotline on 08600-10111, SMS 32211 or leave a message on www.crimeline.co.za,” said Capt Le Roux.
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