WATCH: Homeowner left ‘shocked’ and ‘frustrated’ as ladder brazenly stolen by thief
The suspect was carrying a sharp object, presumed to be a pocket knife, which was used to cut the ladder’s bonds.
In the early hours of this morning, an alleged thief was captured on CCTV footage casually jumping over a gate and then seems to have been ‘tiptoeing’ over to the property owner’s vehicle before cutting a ladder’s restraints from the roof of the car.
The man then tossed the ladder over the gate and left the site with his loot in hand.
The homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Middelburg Observer that they first heard a commotion just outside the house at roughly 23:55, as someone was ‘messing’ with the electric fencing.
He went out to inspect what was happening, only to find the suspect had fled the scene.
This same person is believed to have returned to the house on Park Street, having illegally entered the property at 01:42.
@middelburgobserver A ladder was stolen from a the roof of a vehicle parked at home on Park Street this morning. The suspect’s face has been blurred because he cannot be formally identified until he has been charged.
The suspect was carrying a sharp object, presumed to be a pocket knife, which was used to cut the ladder’s bonds.
The ladder, which was used by a tenant working for a fibre company, is assumed to be valued at over R5 000.
The homeowner expressed his frustration at the lack of functioning street lights on Meyer and Park streets, stating, “It is unacceptable of the municipality to have an entire street (Park) without working lights, and another with only two lights operational (Meyer).”
He continued, “If the lights had worked, we might have been able to see this nonsense take place. It is unfortunate that they (the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality cannot assist us when we need them.”
As seen in the footage, the thief was not wearing a balaclava or any form of mask, donning only a bucket hat to partially obscure his face.
• The suspect’s face has been blurred because he cannot be formally identified until he has been charged.
• If anyone has any information regarding the incident, please report it to SAPS or contact the Middelburg Observer on 072 248 3855.
