With business burglaries and the subsequent selling of stolen items around Newcastle impacting the local economy, recent developments suggest that law enforcement is gaining ground in tackling the issue.
This follows Kirkland Street witnessing a flurry of activity on Friday afternoon, 15 March 2024, as law enforcement officers intercepted a suspect attempting to sell 157 cartons of stolen cigarettes to a local business owner.
An official police source revealed that the operation unfolded following intelligence received about the suspect’s plan to sell and offload the illicit cigarettes at the business. Responding immediately, a collaborative effort was orchestrated, with the Newcastle SAPS Vispol (Visible Policing) Unit, Amajuba District K9 unit, and OPS Security pooling resources to ensure the operation’s success.
Upon identification of the suspect at the scene, law enforcement moved into action. “The team recovered 157 cartons of assorted branded cigarettes, confirmed as stolen property from another recently burgled business in town,” explained the official police source.
The source further emphasised that the victim of the business burglary was able to identify the prices marked on several cigarette packets, as they were inscribed in his handwriting before being stolen from his establishment.
Newcastle SAPS spokesperson, Lizzy Arumugam, affirmed, “One person was apprehended, and he is expected to appear in court soon, with further investigations underway.”
Given the recent surge in business burglaries, law enforcement authorities will conduct follow-up investigations to ascertain whether other stolen cigarettes are being circulated within the community and whether the apprehended suspect is connected to additional crimes.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Share your opinions in the comment section below.
