Two suspects aged 25 and 34 were arrested for house breaking, shoplifting and theft out of motor vehicle allegations in Graskop on 28 June 2023.

According to information, police were performing their routine patrols in Graskop when they noticed two men at a hitchhiking spot to Sabie. They then stopped and searched the pair. One of the man who was carrying a plastic bag told the police that, inside the plastic bag were his T-shirts.

Suddenly the suspect dropped his plastic bag then fled the scene and when members opened it, they found new clothing items which appeared to be from a retail clothing store. The other man was apprehended and police gave a chase to the one who left the plastic bag. It was not long before members apprehended him and took him to the Graskop Police Station where more information was obtained from him regarding his alleged involvement in shoplifting at a clothing shop nearby. He was then charged accordingly.

During preliminary investigation by the Police, it was discovered that the other man who was apprehended first was somehow linked to an alleged theft out of motor vehicle in Graskop where a gas cylinder bottle was reportedly stolen from a truck on 18 June 2023. For that, he too was charged accordingly.

Upon further investigation by the astute members, it was also revealed that the two were part of three suspects that were arrested on 09 June 2023 on charges of spate of house breaking incidents in the area. The investigation team believes that the two are part of a group of suspects terrorising the community of Graskop since the winter season began.

They are both expected to appear in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Friday 30 June 2023 facing charges of shoplifting, theft out of motor vehicle, and house breaking. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges as the investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcome the arrest and thanked the members for their vigilance. “The issue of Graskop has been a thorn in the skin for the residents of that area. Their cry did not fall on deaf ears and as the Police we took a decision to deal decisively with crime. The arrest of the two is a sign of our commitment to create and maintain safety for all citizens” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service