Car thief caught while sleeping
Police made a breakthrough in vehicle related crimes after a car thief was arrested in Eersterust.
Garsfontein police caught a car thief while he was asleep in Eersterust on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said police discovered a white Mitsubishi vehicle with bullet holes parked in a yard in Eersterust.
“A follow-up was made to find the whereabouts of the owner of the car. Moments later, police were shown a room where the owner of the vehicle was found fast asleep,” she said.
Weilbach said the owner of the vehicle could not give the police a reasonable explanation for the bullet holes found in his vehicle when he was interrogated.
“The investigating officers searched the room and found various car keys, laptops, bags, memory sticks and other items that are suspected to be stolen. Car-breaking tools were also found inside the room.”
“With further investigations, it was discovered that the car was stolen in October this year in Eersterust.
Weilbach said some of the alleged stolen items were linked to a theft out of motor vehicle case that was reported in Garsfontein last month.
“The 40-year-old suspect was immediately arrested and will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon on possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of stolen property and car breaking implements charges,” she said.
Investigations were continuing to ascertain whether the man could be linked to other crimes.
Sunnyside cluster commander Major-General Jimmy Ledwaba commended the investigating officers for the arrest.
“Arrests are sending out a strong message to criminals that the police are out in full force during the festive season to combat and prevent crime,” he said.
“The vast police presence in the Sunnyside Cluster at known festivity locations and shopping malls with supplementary visible patrols for residential areas and main roads will keep crime contained and will ensure a safe festive season for all.”
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