Thanks to a quick-thinking security guard, jewellery worth nearly R4 000 was recovered from two women brazenly raiding stalls at the Village Green on Wednesday 8 July.
Thanks to a quick-thinking security guard, jewellery worth nearly R4 000 was recovered from two women brazenly raiding stalls at the Village Green on Wednesday 8 July.
Captain Milanda Coetzer, Grahamstown Crime Intelligence Officer, said members of Hi-Tec Security called for the assistance of SAPS members shortly after 3pm this afternoon when they saw two women seen stealing jewellery from four different stalls on the Village Green.
Captains Sheryl Louw and George Green and Constable Nomakwezi Bulani found the two women in possession of jewellery to the value of R 3 680, Coetzer said. The jewellery included earrings, rings and bracelets.
The women had walked up to the different jewellery stalls, tried on jewellery and slipped it into their handbags or pockets before walking off.
The stall holders were able to identify all the jewellery and it was returned to them.
"Quick thinking by the security guard and the detailed investigation has led to a very successful arrest and recovery," Coetzer said.
The two suspects were detained in Grahamstown cells. Once they have been charged they will appear in Grahamstown's magistrate's court.
Both women are from Port Elizabeth.
Other police cases during the National Arts Festival
* A possession of stolen property case was opened yesterday by Constable Orlan de Maar, based at Grahamstown Crime Intelligence. He recovered an iPhone in possession of a foreign national who is a trader in Church Square. The 28-year-old man was arrested and charged and is due to appear in court on Thursday 9 July 2015.
* A 19-year-old man from Port Elizabeth, was arrested by Constables Siyabonga Tunzi and Luyanda Faltein who were on duty as the Grahamstown highway patrol. The man was found in possession of 1.5kg dagga. He was taking it from Mthatha to Port Elizabeth. The man was charged for possession of dagga and is due to appear in court on Thursday 9 July.
* In another case, Constables Merwyn Frans and Sibusiso Songongo were working night shift as members of Grahamstown Highway patrol when they stopped a white sedan,suspecting it to be a stolen vehicle. In the investigation which ensued, a 39-year-old man was arrested when a bag containing 60 Mandrax tablets. Some loose tablets were also found in his possession. This man also comes from Port Elizabeth.
* At midday today, K9 partners Constable Xola James and Sergeant Michael Maqoko were on foot patrol with K9 Batian, a narcotics dog, at Village Green, when Batian indicated the presence of dagga. On investigation, Sergeant Maqoko found that a man, who was taking care of a stall in one of the tents, was in possession of a small quantity of dagga. He arrested the man and detained him for possession of drugs. Batian is a 10-year-old German Shepherd with a nose for "the greens".
– Compiled by Captain Milanda Coetzer, Grahamstown Crime Intelligence Officer
