Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
26 August 2024
A 30-year old Zimbabwean man was arrested by Bethal crime prevention team on Thursday, 22 August 2024 after information about a suspect who committed theft offence at Ackerman store in Bethal whereby his description was given to them by a concerned citizen.
According to information at police disposal, the suspect entered the store with a knife and other object which he used to threaten the employees and intentionally used threats of violence to induce submission.
The suspect went to the cellphone display and broke the glass with an object and stole cellphones.
The team consisting of Sergeant Vusumuzi Mpila, Sergeant Lindiwe Mkhonto, Constable Mankweng Motloutsi and Constable Mercy Pule followed the information and while patrolling within their policing precinct, they spotted the suspect matching the description given and approached him.
Upon approaching him, they interviewed him and requested to search the handbag he was in possession of.
Upon searching the bag, they found eight(8) cellphones, a knife and an object he used to break the glass cabinet.
He was then taken to the store for identification and he was positively identified with the stolen cellphones as the suspect that entered the store.
It is believed that the same suspect committed the same offence at PEP store few months ago and could not be traced and as soon as he is identified by employees at PEP store, he will be prosecuted for both matters.
The suspect will appear before Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday 26 August 2024 facing charges of business robbery and the police will work together with the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain his status in the Republic.
