Four arrested in connection with laptop thefts at school
Four suspects were arrested by the Middelburg SAPS yesterday (Monday) in connection with the robbery at Eastdene Combined School, where 52 laptops were stolen.
The robbery took place last Wednesday between the 23:00 to 01:00 load-shedding time slot, and the thieves gained access to the school by scaling the wall.
It has been reliably learnt that a security guard on duty came across the suspects and, realising he was outnumbered, tried to flee. The suspects then accosted him.
The thieves proceeded to tie the guard up with his shoelaces and covered his face to obscure his vision.
The computer room door was forced open by cutting the roller-door padlock, and the laptops, with an estimated value of R660 000, were stolen. The thieves fled towards Pilodia Street.
The guard finally managed to free himself and alert Titon Security, who responded to the scene.
• The suspects may not be identified until they make their first court appearance today.
• An attempted robbery also took place at Middelburg Combined School in Nasaret the Wednesday prior.
According to Principal Eleanor Pinetown, the suspects also targeted the school during load-shedding, where the guard on duty was tied to a tree. The thieves managed to force open a door to a classroom before security measures managed to ward them off.
It could not be confirmed if the arrested suspects can be linked to the case.
Also read:
Thieves strike during load-shedding, 52 laptops stolen from school
