CRIME IN SHORT

Once again, theft featured prominently in Graaff-reinet’s casebook this last week, with six cases opened from a variety of areas.

There were two cases of fraud, one involving goods that were ordered but not delivered, and one banking-related.

There were three cases of robbery where a weapon was used.

There was also a case of common robbery (ie no weapon was used). At 10:00 on 26 October, the complainant was inside Shoprite in Caledon Street when two men grabbed him and dragged him outside the shop.

They then took his cell phone and cash from him, with a total value of R420. The suspects are known to the complainant but have not yet been arrested.

There were three residential burglaries, two in Umasizakhe and one in Reinet Park.

Two cases of malicious damage to property were opened. In one case, the complainant was called by one of her employees at 09:10 on 25 October, informing her that a truck drove into their property in Murray Street. The damage to the property is estimated at R30 000.

An attempt was also made to steal a motor vehicle in van Riebeeck Street on 26 October, at about 01:00. The complainant was awoken by a barking dog. He went outside to check on his vehicle and saw its bonnet open, and the suspect tampering with the vehicle’s electrical wiring for the starter.

The suspect ran away.

The week’s final case was one of shoplifting, from Jet Stores in Caledon Street.

According to the complainant, the suspect entered the store at 15:07 on 25 October and took clothing to the value of R550 without paying. The suspect has been arrested.