Four arrested for suspected stolen school laptops

Four suspects are in police custody following their arrest on Tuesday, 12 October 2021, in connection with stolen school laptops.

Olive Hill principal received an alarm notification from the school. Upon arrival in the morning, he realised a storeroom window was broken. He opened and discovered that 18 HP laptops, school feeding scheme grocery and a projector all valued at R78 000 were missing.

The school opened a case of burglary for investigation.

On Tuesday, 12 October 2021, Navalsig SAPS acted on an intelligence driven operation around Ipopepng and Freedom Square, Mangaung.

They apprehended the first suspect in Ipopeng and recovered one laptop. More information led police to Freedom Square and 11 more laptops recovered, while three suspects apprehended.

Upon further investigation, police recovered three more laptops, already sold to a secondhand goods dealer in town.

Investigations are underway to recover the remaining laptops.

Detained suspects, aged 17-25, will appear before Bloemfontein Magistrate Court facing charges of business burglary and possession of suspected stolen property.

“Residents are hereby advised to refrain from buying suspected stolen goods as they will also be charged,” advised Free State Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.

“I encourage second hand goods dealers to request proof of ownership upon buying second hand goods,” she added.