More than just a slap on the wrist
Syndicate shoplifting groups are on the increase nationwide and Knysna is not exempted from their crimes. These syndicates are organised and travel wide and far, costing the retail industry millions of rands.
Knysna security company Allsound managing director Declan Nurse says there have been a number of very successful arrests in Knysna recently as result of Knysna security companies and the police being 'on the ball'. Nurse says that it is very discouraging that punishment for shoplifting has traditionally been light as it is considered to be a misdemeanour theft with low sentences imposed like a R500 fine and suspended sentences. The outcome of a recent shop-lifting spree was very encouraging though, said Nurse.
An alert was broadcast to officers and within minutes the vehicle was spotted by Allsound Response Division members in Long Street.
On 5 April a shop-lifting syndicate was nabbed in Knysna. On that day at about 11:00 a store manager notified Allsound security officers at the Knysna Mall of a possible shoplifting syndicate. He suspected that a number of items were stolen by the group from his store. Allsound Security personnel at the Knysna Mall quickly identified the vehicle being used by the suspects and notified Allsound Control Room.
An alert was broadcast to officers and within minutes the vehicle was spotted by Allsound Response Division members in Long Street. Visual observation began and assistance was requested from Knysna SAPS and SAPS K9 units. Visuals were maintained and the vehicle was successfully intercepted by SAPS members and Allsound
Security just outside Knysna. Four females and one male was taken into custody after multiple suspected stolen items were found in the vehicle. Items were stolen from approximately six different retail stores. Once again, excellent communication between the retail store manager and Knysna Mall officers, followed by swift co-operation between Allsound Response and SAPS, resulted in this successful arrest, says Nurse.
What followed is very encouraging says Nurse. "Thanks to the tenacity of the Knysna SAPS detective assigned, local prosecutors and the magistrate, a clear message was sent to the latest four-man syndicate apprehended on 5 April.
Thorough investigation into previous conviction records and warrants of arrests from elsewhere were presented to the court at sentencing. It was evident from the four accused individuals' habitual shoplifting sprees, that simple fines were not a stern enough warning. One of the accused was sentenced to eight years and the remaining three accused individuals were each sentenced to three years in prison.
"We are extremely grateful for the excellent communication and working relationship between retail stores, Allsound Officers at the Knysna Mall, Allsound Response Division and local SAPS who responded so quickly when the alert went out for assistance. Knysna is most certainly a crime fighting force ensuring syndicate crime is stopped in its tracks here," said Nurse.
Knysna Station Commander, Colonel Francois De Wet, welcomed the conviction of a group who was sentenced at the Knysna Magistrate’s Court last week on charges of theft.
"Reports at our disposal indicates that the investigation into two cases of possession of stolen property relates to merchandise which was stolen at retail stores in Knysna on 5 April 2024. Various police resources were mobilised following the report from Allsound security. The accused were subsequently cornered and the items found in their possession. These matters came to conclusion when they were sentenced between two and three years imprisonment on theft charges."
"The Knysna police established a partnership with government departments, Knysna Municipality, local security companies, Knysna Community Police Forum, Farm Watches, Neighbourhood Watches and Community in Blue. These role-players are meeting weekly to discuss crime as well as to draft joint crime combatting interventions to address crime.
They also share information regularly and jointly respond to crime incidents or matters like these," said Sergeant Chris Spies of Knysna SAPS.
"This arrest, conviction and sentencing is evident of what could be achieved when resources at our disposal are used to address crime," he said.
Col De Wet commended all the roleplayers for their swift response on the day of the arrest. The Station Commander also lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their efforts to ensure a successful prosecution. He said, “I trust this sentence would send a stern warning to other syndicates who target this area. They will face the full might of the law once arrested”.