Another break-in at SPCA Tshwane
“Four armed men broke into our clinic at Waltloo and stole medical supplies and equipment vital for the medical care of our animals.”
The SPCA Tshwane was hit with yet another break-in at their Waltloo branch this week.
“Early this morning four armed men broke into our veterinary clinic at Waltloo branch and stole medical supplies and equipment that are vital for the medical care of our animals,” said Dewald Wahlstrand, general manager at the branch.
“Fortunately, the alarm was activated and our security company responded immediately, which scared off the intruders.”
He said the robbers, however, damaged the property when they broke in.
“Two security gates were damaged, but fortunately we were able to replace one thanks to a previous donation,” he said.
“They completely pulled the second security gate out of the wall, which caused further damage.”
He said no arrests were made as yet, adding that they were still assessing the damage.
READ MORE: SPCA Tshwane open in lockdown level 3
“With what we could see, the two stolen computers alone were estimated to be around R12 000,” he said.
“This does not include other equipment.”
He said once they have assessed the damage, they would be able to give a more detailed feedback.
Wahlstrand said that the staff that stay on the property as well the animals in the kennels were all safe and not affected.
Previously, Rekord reported that starting last year, there was at least a break-in, theft or attempted break-ins once a month, Wahlstrand said.
READ MORE: Waltloo SPCA worker in hospital after attack
“Around December, the break-ins and thefts suddenly stopped,” he said.
“When the national lockdown started, it started again.”
He said the peak of these crimes was an attack on their employees at the branch in April.
Wahlstrand said he suspected that the latest spike in crime at their premises was due to the lockdown.
“These are uncertain times we are in now and a lot of people are feeling the strains of the lockdown, especially the less fortunate,” he said.
“We suspect this is why there have been so much crime at our premises.”
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