Crime curbed in Grahamstown

STAFF REPORTER

THE Grahamstown Highway patrol arrested a KwaZulu-Natal man in possession of 36.4kg loose abalone during a vehicle check on the N2 on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender, the 57-year-old was driving a green convertible Mazda MX5 towards Grahamstown from Port Elizabeth. On conducting a search of the vehicle, they found the abalone packed in cooler boxes and bags amid clothing and vegetables.

"The price of abalone variesand can be sold for up to R450 per kg,” said Govender.

∙ Grahamstown detectives are investigating a case of robbery after an unsuspecting 53-year-old woman was conned by three men posing as police officers last Friday.

According to Govender, the victim was on her way to Standard Bank in High Street at about 8.30am when she was approached by three unknown men. They introduced themselves as police officers and produced appointment certificates.

They asked her about an alleged robbery that had taken place where cash had been taken out of a vehicle. She said she had no knowledge of it, but they told her that because she was in the vicinity she needed to accompany them for questioning at their offices in Donkin Street.

Govender said that as they neared the corner of Donkin Street, one of the suspects told the woman she had to leave her cell phone and money with them before entering the premises and that they would wait outside for her.

She did as she was told only to discover that there were no SAPS offices and that the so-called police officers had disappeared. Her Nokia cell phone and an undisclosed amount of cash had been taken.

Any person with information on this incident or any other criminal activity is asked to contact their local SAPS.

∙ A Grahamstown shopper had her handbag stolen out of her car in High Street on Saturday.

Govender said the woman had parked her car in front of Clicks at about 9.45am when a man approached her and informed her that her vehicle's front tyre needed air. She left her bagon the front passenger seat. The door was not locked. While she was checking the tyre she heard her passenger door close and realised the male had stolen her bag which contained sunglasses, cash and a Nokia cell phone.

At about 10.15am the same day, an unknown man approached the driver of a vehicle in High Street opposite Absa bank and informed him that his tyre was going flat.

The driver ignored him and the man started to walktowards the Cathedral. The driver left his car and went into the bank to check on his wife when he heard a car alarm going off. On returning to his vehicle he found that some of his personal belongings had been stolen including a wallet, bank cards and his drivers licence.

"Do not trust strangers. If you are approached, ensure that no valuables are left in the car. Lock your vehicle before you set out to investigate. Leave valuables in the boot of the car where they are not visible. Take note of who your car guard is,” said Govender.

She said the suspects are believed to be operating in the CBD. The public are advised to contact the local SAPS if they have any information on criminals and criminal activity.

∙ Three men who were arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs appeared in the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The police officers were manning a vehicle check point on the N2under the Grahamstown /Port Alfred (R67) bridge when a red Ford Bantam bakkie passed them.

They gave chase and managed to stop the vehicle and get it off the road. During an inspection of the vehicle, they noticed that the screws on all four panels had been tampered with. Further investigation revealed that a bag containing 5kg of dagga was concealed inthe panel.

Then men, aged 23, 24 and 29, were all arrested.