A Delft man managed to solve the case himself after his puppy was dognapped.
Justin Poole’s brakkie was stolen from his home in Voorbrug by a known tikkop and sold for R50.
But the dad of two tracked down the dog, thanks to helpful cops, neighbours and CCTV footage.
Justin, 32, was at home on Monday morning looking after his two children while their four-month-old puppy, Leela, was outside.
Justin says he realised something was wrong when his children asked to play with the dog and noticed that she was missing.
“My children were in tears,” he says.
The quick-thinking dad rushed to a neighbour’s house, asking to view their CCTV footage.
The skelm was caught on camera casually walking into Justin’s backyard, and leaving with the hondjie.
Justin says he took the footage to Delft SAPS and was amazed at the police’s help.
“I showed them the video and they arranged a van to go with me.
“Residents who saw the footage recognised the man in the video and gave an address.
Justin Poole from Delft solved the case himself after his brakkie was stolen by a known tikkop and sold for R50.
“When we got to the address, police said the man is the son of a neighbourhood watch member.
“He was known for such crimes. We were taken to his hokkie at the back of his mom’s home but he was not there, as his family had put him out,” he says.
Justin says cops even decided on a stake-out in the hopes the dief would come home, but he didn’t.
He then made an appeal for help on the Facebook page, “Waar Brandit Inni Delft” and a resident responded, saying they had bought the dog.
“At 10.15pm, the owner of the house called me and said the man had walked past in the street and offered to sell the dog to him for R50 as they were looking for a puppy.
“I wanted to give the owner the R50 back but he refused. The dog was so happy to see me, it jumped into my arms and was licking me all over my face,” he says.
CCTV footage of man 'stealing' dog. Supplied