The Newcastle SPCA staff have been left in shock and dismay after burglars forcibly entered the organisation’s premises on Tuesday night, 30 January 2024.
The Newcastle SPCA’s Trainee Inspector Jenavieve Tinkler explained that the incident occurred during loadshedding, between 10 pm and midnight on Tuesday.
She further said that this could be seen via the CCTV cameras, which showed the office in a state of disarray as soon as the power was restored.
Discussing the burglary, Tinkler said, “When I arrived at the office in the morning, I noticed the security gate to my office was open, which is unusual as it is never open. I hurried inside and discovered that we had been burgled.”
The perpetrators forcefully broke the lock on the security gate and kicked down the wooden door to gain entry into the premises. Once inside, they made off with the SPCA’s phone, a computer, and an undisclosed amount of petty cash stored in a safe.
“The computer contained vital information, photographs, and documents related to ongoing cases and other critical data. Fortunately, banking had been done the previous day, so they only got the petty cash,” Tinkler shared emotionally, reassuringly mentioning that none of the animals were harmed during the break-in.
In light of the burglary, the Newcastle SPCA now faces the task of replacing stolen equipment, to resume their vital work.
Tinkler informed the public that during this process, residents should contact them via their emergency number until regular lines are restored. The Newcastle SPCA can be reached at 072 337 0347.
Community support is pivotal during this challenging period, and individuals are encouraged to visit the SPCA at 1 Samson Drive to offer assistance. Furthermore, anyone with information leading to the arrest of the culprits is urged to contact the Newcastle SAPS.
As the Newcastle SPCA navigates through the aftermath of the break-in, solidarity and support from the community remain essential. What are your thoughts?
Be sure to share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 1
How was the petty cash that was stored in the safe taken? Was the safe broken into, how was it opened?