Cops are hunting for a band of thieves travelling on a horse and cart who broke down a security gate to steal a family’s beloved, and expensive, African Grey parrot of 13 years.
On Thursday, while the bird’s owners were at work, the skelms who were caught on CCTV footage, are seen breaking down the sliding gate in front of their home in Chudley Street, Plumstead.
The bird, named Suzie, is perched inside her cage, but is snatched from the stoep and placed on the cart and the skelms flee the scene.
Suzie’s owner, who asked not to be identified, says the bird is worth R4000.
The family has since opened a case of house burglary at Diep River Police Station.
The owner says they have had the grey-coloured parrot for 13 years.
“She is our family pet,” says the owner.
FILMED: Skurke stole Suzie from Plumstead home
“They forced open the sliding gate by getting it off the rail. The bird was in the cage on the stoep where she sits during the day. They took her and drove away. This was caught on CCTV footage.’’
The CCTV footage shows the horse and cart with the thieves fleeing the scene.
The cart is partially red and one of the men is seen wearing a cap.
The owner has asked mense not to buy the bird off the street but rather to report it to police.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut, confirms they are investigating Suzie’s theft.
“The circumstances are being investigated,” he added.