GEORGE NEWS - Police in the Garden Route last week arrested three women suspected to be involved in theft at chain stores in the district.
The trio's first court appearance in the George Magistrate's Court was scheduled for today, Monday 19 February.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, the suspects were arrested on Thursday 15 February at about 12:55, after members of to the Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team acted on an alert from a security company based in Knysna about a Ford Figo which was traveling from Knysna to George with possible stolen items on board.
"The team strategically deployed themselves on the N2 highway where they brought the vehicle to a halt. A search ensued upon which the police found two huge bags with merchandise, jeans and school shoes belonging to various chain stores," said Spies.
The trio were unable to produce any receipts or account for their possession of the items. Police confiscated the items and seized the vehicle.
The suspects aged 29, 30 and 40 remain in police custody.
Some of the clothing items that were confiscated.
In an unrelated matter, detectives in George responsible for the investigation into property related crimes conducted a tracing operation which led to the arrest of a man positively linked to incidents reported over a period of time.
Investigation into these incidents took the police to three secondhand dealers where stolen items were recovered. The team confiscated a compressor, bowling balls and cash registers.
"The investigation positively linked the suspect to the theft of the recovered items. He was tracked down on Thursday evening and subsequently arrested," said Spies.
A vehicle believed to be used in the transportation in these goods was also seized.
The 31-year-old suspect remains in police custody. He is facing charges of housebreaking and theft and theft out of motor vehicle.
The bowling balls that were recovered.
The compressor was also confiscated by the police.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
