Knysna police nab Gauteng shoplifting gang

Two women and two men have been arrested after being caught with clothing valued at R20‚000 near the Knysna Mall.

The SA Police Service said they also seized a Canon printer‚ which was suspected to be used to replicate slips in order for the suspects to exchange stolen goods for cash later.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that this group is from Gauteng and were travelling from Cape Town before they were arrested in Knysna‚" a statement said.

Explaining how the bust was made‚ the SAPS said staff at one of the clothing stores in the mall alerted security personnel about two suspicious looking women‚ who fled from the Mall after security approached them at 4.30pm on on Tuesday. "Both ladies were apprehended shortly thereafter and new branded clothing with price tags of well-known stores was found in their possession.

"These items included jeans‚ t-shirts‚ jackets and female dresses. It is believed that they fitted these clothes in the fitting rooms and concealed it underneath clothing that they wore."

The police found an accomplice at a hiking spot on the N2 highway. The fourth suspect was arrested after cops and a local security company located the car they were using.

"The possibility that other stolen items might have been couriered to Johannesburg is being investigated‚" the SAPS said.

The four suspects‚ who face charges of possession of stolen goods as well as shoplifting‚ will appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s court on Friday 24 July. -RDM News Wire