Three arrested for burglary
A second and third firearm have since been recovered. The third belonging to a traffic official, was found in the possession of a man in Roossenekal.
LYDENBURG – Three housebreaking suspects were arrested outside town on Sunday afternoon. According to Capt Alfred Moela, SAPS spokesman, local police were tipped off that three white males aged 26, 27 and 30 were suspected of several house break-ins and the selling of firearms in town and surrounding areas.
“Police followed up on the information and spotted the white Kia Koup befitting the given description driving towards Sabie. They stopped the vehicle and ordered the three occupants to exit the car. Police searched two of the suspects. The third refused to be searched. When he realised that he would be forcefully searched, he took out a yellow plastic bag from his pocket and threw it away. Inside the bag officers found 54 live ammunition rounds of a 7.65 pistol.” Moela said the suspects were taken back to the Kia.
“The vehicle was searched and officers found the 7.65 pistol under the driver’s seat, a provincial traffic uniform and reflective jackets with a traffic officer’s surname on the back written Van der Merwe.” The men were arrested and taken into custody. Moela said during interviews, it was discovered that the traffic uniform belonged to Gerhardus van der Merwe who is a provincial traffic officer from Lydenburg.
“Van der Merwe has previously reported a housebreaking where his uniform, two pistols, an official blue light for his vehicle and other items were stolen. There were also suspected stolen clothes and curtains found in the house where one of the suspects was residing. The men promised to point out another firearm and other items they stole at properties where they had broken into.”
A second and third firearm have since been recovered. The third belonging to a traffic official, was found in the possession of a man in Roossenekal. He has also been arrested and is at the holding cells in Roossenekal. There are currently three families that have identified their stolen items, including the traffic officer. The three housebreaking cases have thus been closed.
The suspects Messrs Arno Jacobs (26), Paul Jacobs (30) and Billy Richards (27) will appear in Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on January 30. The investigation is still pending. Moela said that the case had not yet been allocated to an investigator. The branch commander, Capt Aaron Digoro, can be contacted at 082-492-3408 for more information.
