Police arrested two men who were caught suspiciously snapping photos of houses after stolen items belonging to another house that had been robbed earlier in Protea Heights were found in their possession.
Two men have been arrested for breaking into a home in Protea Heights earlier this week.
Brackenfell police Captain Erica Crous said the two men were busted on Monday April 25 by two alert response officers of private security companies, who also recovered the stolen goods comprising laptops and cash, among other things.
Captain Crous said the two security guards had been patrolling in Protea Heights where they spotted two unknown men walking on Ronelle Street - which Brackenfell police consider a notorious crime hotspot - shortly before noon.
“The officers stopped to enquire as to why these men were allegedly taking photos of the houses. They also had a bag with them which looked like it was heavy,” Captain Crous said.
“The suspects attempted to run away.”
The two security guards contacted the Brackenfell police, who arrived and searched the bag, which had several tablets, a laptop, a wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police were able to trace the belongings to a house on Swie Crescent in Protea Heights
“The owner was contacted by security officers and (when he arrived) he confirmed that his house was indeed broken into,” Captain Crous said.
She said the goods found in the suspects' possession were identified by the house owner as his property.
“They gained entry to the house by breaking open the back door and safety gate,” Captain Crous said.
The suspects were arrested and appeared before the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court on Thursday April 28 on charges of possession of stolen goods and housebreaking and theft.
Captain Crous could not immediately provide details from the court appearance as further information was not immediately available from the investigating officer.