Slice of foresight foils two bread truck conmen

Two bread truck delivery men had their comeuppance when police foiled their attempt to rob themselves in Wasbank.

On December 16, two men arrived at the Wasbank police station in an Albany bread truck to report that they had just been robbed by armed men while travelling on the Wasbank-Tholeni road.

While making their statements under oath, Detective Warrant Officer Wayne Bezuidenhout, who was the detective on standby investigated the circumstances. Immediately after visiting the scene of the supposed robbery and interviewing the victims, Detective Bezuidenhout suspected foul play.

Back at the station, a search was conducted of the cab of the truck which revealed R6 500 in cash hidden in the back of the passenger seat cover which the ‘victims’ could not explain. Further investigation by Lieutenant Thango and Warrant Officer Zwane and Warrant Officer Bezuidenhout concluded that there had been no robbery.

The driver and his assistant pointed out a hammer which they had used to break into the safe and another cash amount of R5000 was recovered hidden in the door panels of truck.

Both men admitted to having staged the robbery and were arrested and charged for defeating the ends of justice, theft and perjury. Lieutenant Thango thanked his members for their hard work.

“This is a good example of criminals who do have any integrity but this time the Wasbank police were one step ahead,” he said.