Bronko Electrical, an Alberton North company, cries foul after recently suffering a major setback as intruders broke into their business on September 9 and 11.
The company, which has been around for at least two decades, suffered a major loss after having its business broken into.
Electrical supplies from the business were stolen, fortunately, Alberton SAPS succeeded in apprehending one of the suspects as he fled the scene.
The stolen electrical goods are valued at R200 000, while other items worth about R272 000 were recovered.
Business owner Willem Bronkhorst said he suspects that the burglary must have happened during load-shedding times.
“The suspects were not caught in the act, but one suspect was caught by Alberton SAPS carrying the stuff in the road on a trolley. Before we could see what was going on, the women and men in blue had already caught one of the suspects. We can give the police thumbs up for this successful arrest,” he said.
Bronkhorst managed to recover several circuit breakers and electrical tools.
The culprits forcefully gained entry by kicking down the air conditioning out of its position to get access into the office.
“As they got in, they stole the TV and the camera backup system. The piece of cable that they stole is very expensive. For the last four years, there weren’t any burglaries,” he said.
Job well done
During the time of the suspect’s apprehension, he was found with a firearm.
Bronkhorst strongly commended and thanked Alberton SAPS for their tireless hard work and commitment after apprehending one of the suspects.
Captain Manare Ramotshela of Alberton SAPS said the suspect has been previously detained more than once for break-ins.
“The 39-year-old man was found in Alberton North at about 06:40, he was found pushing his trolley and the crime prevention members wanted to search him but he resisted. As they searched him they found an unlicensed revolver firearm with stolen property. The members managed to trace the business owner before a case was opened,” he said.
The suspect faces charges of resisting an arrest, possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful ammunition and possession of stolen goods.
He recently appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
Ramotshela said the station commander commended the officers for working around the clock to combat crime.
