A “GOD-fearing” skelm who broke into a Manenberg church is behind bars after he was piemped by a fellow kerkbroer on Thursday.
The 29-year-old man sat dikbek in the holding cells at Manenberg Police Station on Thursday as Angelo Heuvel, 44, and Mohammad Adams, 41, told detectives how they came to be in possession of a projector, stolen from the Holy Nazareth Catholic Church.
According to a police source, the skelm broke into the church during the early hours of Wednesday morning, but was spotted by a neighbour who chased after him down Manenberg Avenue.
“There was a scuffle, but he managed to slip away. The church father reported that a laptop and projector were stolen and he was identified by the witness,” says the source.
STOLEN: Church's laptop
Acting station commander, Colonel Sanele Zama, says Sergeant Darryl Van Noie traced the skelm and arrested him at his home.
But Angelo and Mohammad were kwaad when Van Noie and his entourage of cops arrived at their homes to arrest them for buying the goods.
Heuvel says the skelm is a neighbour who recently converted.
“He got converted recently and from what I know, he is a God-fearing Christian who was trying to change,” he says.
“I know he does odd jobs for people and he came to me on Wednesday saying he had done some work for someone and they gave him the projector as payment and he needed to sell it.
SOLD: Projector from kerk
“I needed money for nappies for my baby girl so agreed to help him find a buyer and so I contacted Mohammad.”
Mohammad says he didn’t need the projector, but bought it for R300 to help his friend.
“I didn’t need it, but I wanted to help Angelo for his baby. I got a fright when the police came to my house, but we were not involved and had no idea it was stolen.”
The men gave statements to Van Noie and the 29-year-old suspect was charged with burglary, theft and possession of stolen goods.
TARGET: Holy Nazareth Church
The man who has previously been convicted on theft and drug possession charges will make his first appearance at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The priest at Holy Nazareth Catholic Church declined to comment on the case.