Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela said, “Property crimes such as theft, housebreaking, shoplifting, handbag or cellphone-snatching and theft out of motor vehicles leads to unnecessary suffering.”
She said if by buying stolen goods, more victims suffer as a market for such goods are created and there is incentive for criminals to keep stealing.
“As thieves go about stealing goods to meet the demand for stolen goods, they commit other crimes along their way and even murder, assault, rape or injure victims and witnesses,” said Tlamela.
She warned that receiving stolen goods was punishable by law and that people should reject any goods you suspect could have been stolen and report it to the police on Crime Stop.
Details: Crime Stop, 0860 01 01 11.
