R2m in jewellery recovered
Fast work by Port Alfred detectives leads to two arrests after elderly resident robbed at knifepoint
With the help of informants, Port Alfred detectives recovered more than R2m in jewellery that had been taken at knifepoint from an elderly resident just a few days earlier.
TotT received a tip-off about the incident in late December, but it had occurred in early November.
Police spokesperson Capt Mali Govender said details about the incident had not been released earlier as police were trying to establish if there were more than two suspects.
According to TotT’s source, the stolen jewellery was found buried in a garden in Campbell Street.
Govender said the victim, aged 80 and partially disabled, was alone at her home in Pirie Lane on the night of November 9 when she was confronted by an intruder who held her at knife point and demanded her jewellery as well as other items in the home.
“The suspect then took her jewellery and other items to the value of an estimated R2m. The suspect then fled and the victim notified the police,” Govender said.
A case was opened and handed to the detectives for investigation.
On November 13, Sgt John Groep received information from an informer as to the location of the stolen jewellery. He applied for a search warrant, which was granted by the Port Alfred magistrate’s court.
Groep then assembled a team of detectives and dog unit members and executed the search warrant. The search was successful and jewellery to the value of about R2m was recovered.
“Further investigations led the team to the suspect and more property [belonging to] the victim was recovered, to the value of R15,000. The total value of recovered items is about R2,015m,” Govender said.
While seizing the stolen goods, police also discovered a stash of illegal drugs.
“The victim was visited and was delighted with the swift actions of the police. The family of the victim, who are from Cape Town, are also over the moon with the services provided.”
Govender said two suspects had been detained and have appeared at the Port Alfred magistrate ’ s court — one on charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances, and the other for possession of stolen property as well as possession of drugs.
TotT ’ s source estimated the jewellery was worth much more than the R2m figure provided by Govender, and Govender admitted police were unsure of the exact value of the jewellery, which included a rare yellow diamond.