A brazen brass skelm who stole family ornaments worth R15 000 is behind bars after he was caught by wakker cops in Ottery.
Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, says officers conducting a routine patrol of the Ottery Sports and Recreation Centre on Wednesday spotted the skelm in the early hours.
He was carrying the heavy box.
“At 2.40 am, Law Enforcement Facilities Protection Officers were conducting routine visits at the Ottery Sports and Recreation centre to check up on the facility,” he explains.
“As they were about to leave the facility, they saw an adult male walking past the facility with a box that appeared to be quite heavy.”
The curious cops approached the suspect but he threw the doos on the ground and ran away.
Dyason says the man fled towards a block of flats, but could not outrun the fit cops, who caught and arrested him.
“They inspected the box and found a number of brass ornaments and electrical items including extension cables, multi-plugs and crabtree switches.
“He also stole a box of Cremora (coffee creamer).”
Box of ornaments to value of R15 000
Dyason says as officers at Grassy Park Police Station booked in the 35-year-old man, they found the homeowner opening a case at the station.
“The relieved and extremely grateful woman identified the items as her property,” he says.
“The officers were informed that the lady was busy moving from one house to another and the valuables were already packed in boxes.
“The suspect gained entry through a window and opened the door. The estimated value of the goods is R15 000.”
The man was charged for theft and possession of stolen goods and is expected to appear in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court today.