MTHOBISI Innocent Cele (26) was convicted of theft in the Scottburgh Regional Court on Wednesday, November 9 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Earlier this year, on Thursday evening, February 11, Cele had gained entry into a flat in Kayden Centre in Arbuthnot Street, Scottburgh through a bathroom window.
He then entered the adjoining flat where he stole an air-gun.
Returning to the first flat, he was surprised to find that the owner, a 60-year-old woman, had returned home. He pointed the air-gun at the woman, who screamed and ran away.
“He tried to get away with some clothing, a PlayStation and other property in a plastic bag, but was promptly arrested by off-duty policemen of the Scottburgh SAPS, Detective Warrant Officer Peter Hattingh and Constables Cliffy Pillay and Dillon Khamisa, who were in the vicinity,” said Scottburgh SAPS communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum.
The stolen property was recovered and returned to the rightful owner.
As the complainant had died (of natural causes), the state could not proceed with the prosecution in respect of the house robbery charge.
Both cases of house robbery and theft were investigated by Detective Warrant Officer Yugen Moodley of the Scottburgh Cluster Detective Task Team.
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