The incident happened last week, shortly before 03:00 on Friday morning, in pouring rain.

The homeowner, Mr Alex Gutt, says that five of the seven shrubs that he planted, were stolen. A house alarm was tripped around 02:55 by the fleeing thief.

The alarm was triggered when the thief scaled his neighbour’s wall.

Mr Gutt says he paid just over R50 for each plant. Only two are left.

• Another green fingered thief was operational in Viljoen Street recently.

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