The man was spotted on the morning of 12 March by an on-duty police officer.
The 28-year-old man was caught at corner Church and Old Pretoria roads in Halfway House.
Constable Matome Tlamela, head of communications at the Midrand Police station, said, “The police officer who arrested the man, spotted him at 5am carrying a plastic bag that appeared to be too heavy for him to carry.”
The officer is said to have immediately stopped and searched the man. As a result, he was found in possession of a 20-litre bucket of paint.
The man was asked to produce proof of purchase of the paint and he failed to do so. “He then alleged that his employer gave him the paint,” said Tlamela.
The police officer asked the man for his employer’s number and called the employer to confirm his story.
The employer did not collaborate the man’s story. “He instead said they don’t give their employees work equipment to take home,” said Tlamela.
The man has since been arrested for possession of stolen goods.
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