Pretoria PI and team take down robbers linked to elderly man’s robbery, assault
Mike Bolhuis and his team at Specialised Security Services assisted police to catch robbers who attacked an 81-year-old man who gifted him with an exceptional painting.
Pretoria-based private investigator Mike Bolhuis and his team at Specialised Security Services assisted the Parow police in the Western Cape to track down and arrest two suspects who robbed and attacked an 81-year-old man.
Bolhuis confirmed that an admirer of his, John Edward Morgenrood (81) had recently died after being robbed.
The robbers attacked Morgenrood, after he went to the post office on 22 December 2020 in the area to send Bolhuis a special painting he painted for him.
“The painting was a surprise for me. His daughter, René Downing contacted me recently to tell me about the incident. She was afraid that the video footage that caught the robbery would go missing, and I offered to assist her,” Bolhuis said.
Bolhuis wasn’t even aware of the painting until he was contacted about the incident.
“His daughter would like to find out where the painting is now, probably anywhere between the Western Cape and Pretoria.”
Morgenrood worked in a furniture store until retirement, but always wanted to be recognised as an artist.
“I was sincerely touched by the gesture, and still appreciate the painting. I have offered to investigate this incident for free and have already sent a few investigators down there to start the investigation.”
According to Downing, Morgenrood had a huge admiration for Bolhuis, often referring to him as a “man of steel” and would love his ability to track down criminals and serve his community.
Morgenrood suffered injuries to his head, with some bleeding to his brain, and he died on 31 December 2020.
According to Bolhuis, a case of murder has been opened at the police station.
Bolhuis said that one of his investigators was able to get the video footage that captured the attack on Morgenrood.
“On the camera footage, you can see Morgenrood walking around the corner after finishing at the post office at 16:39. Two men walk from the other corner but in the same direction as Morgenrood. One looks over his shoulder and talks to his friend. They turn around and walk in the direction of Morgenrood. When they’re next to Morgenrood, one of the men pushes him to the ground, they grab his phone and at 16:40 you can see them running away.”
Bolhuis informed Downing that one of the men had been arrested and that he was wearing the same clothes in his jail cell as he had worn during the robbery.
“I wanted to make sure he is charged with Morgenrood’s murder before he’s released on bail and disappears,” Bolhuis said.
Bolhuis will be sending flowers to Morgenrood’s family, as his funeral will be held on Tuesday, 12 January, which would also have been his 82nd birthday.
“We are tirelessly trying to establish where the painting is now. It is very special to me now, and I feel honoured that he painted it especially for me,” Bolhuis said.
“We won’t be giving up on this case. We will continue to assist in any way possible to secure a conviction for these two men,” Bolhuis said.
Morgenrood leaves behind his wife Cynthia and four daughters.
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