A group of schoolboys who allegedly stole R2.4m in loot may have got away with it, had they not bragged to their friends.
|||A group of schoolboys who allegedly stole R2.4 million worth of loot from two houses in the posh Mount Edgecombe Golf Estate, might have got away with it had they not bragged about it to their friends.
But one of their chums anonymously tipped-off police, after hearing how they stole 100 Krugerrand gold coins, Rolex watches, jewellery and other items. The alleged perpetrators evidently even stopped during one break-in to make themselves cheese sandwiches.
The trio, believed to be Grade 11 and matric pupils at a Durban North school, appeared in the Phoenix Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of housebreaking.
The charges were withdrawn pending a probation officer’s report. The matter will then be referred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether they should stand trial or be sent for rehabilitation.
Police are still intending to question a fourth suspect.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mdunge, confirmed the incident and said the theft took place at Doulton Close, on the gated Mount Edgecombe Golf Estate 2.
John Dreyer, the rules and human resources administrator at the estate, said the theft was not as a result of a breach of their security, but was an inside job.
“But, in the light of what has happened, the security committee has met and is considering other measures to further tighten security at the estate,” Dreyer said.
According to a police source, the boys allegedly stole 100 gold Krugerrand coins valued at about R1.3m, three Rolex watches, traveller’s cheques and jewellery worth a million rand from one of the houses.
A R100 000 worth of goods – including laptops, gold watches, an iPod and diamond jewellery – were also stolen from another home on the estate, a few days later.
The source said the gang leader lived on the estate with his family.
“Two of his friends, who are from Durban North and Glenashley, went to visit the boy at the estate. While there, they decided to play a prank and go into one of the houses and get something to eat. This is a gated, well secured estate and many of the homes have easy access.”
In daylight, the boys allegedly entered the house of a wealthy businessman, which was apparently unlocked, and raided the kitchen.
They had picked on homes where the owners were away on holiday. They would knock on the door, and if someone answered, they would pretend to be looking for their friends, a notice to residents said.
They made cheese sandwiches and ate them there, the source said.
“After eating, the gang leader went upstairs and found the safe in one of the bedrooms. The boys took the safe, which was not mounted on a wall, and went (to the bushes next to the 5th fairway nearby) where they broke it open. Inside was R2m worth of goods, none of which was insured.”
When the theft was discovered, the businessman offered a R50 000 reward for the safe return of his goods.
The source alleged the teenagers took the Krugerrand coins to uMhlanga where they tried to sell them at a local pawn shop.
“Unfortunately they did not have the certificates or proof of identification to make the sale. They then met a man at an uMhlanga shopping centre and he offered to help them sell the goods on the black market.”
The man allegedly introduced the teenagers to two other men who told them the coins were fake and valued at R100 each. He allegedly paid them R3 000 for 30 coins, the source said.
They then allegedly approached a Pinetown gold dealer who bought some of the coins for R30 000.
“The next day at school, the boys openly bragged to their friends about the theft and the loot. One of the friends tipped off police.”
The source said the houses of all three boys were searched and more than R57 000 in cash was recovered.
“During the investigation police found that the teenagers had broken into another house and stolen goods to the value of R100 000. Three laptops, a designer watch and diamond jewellery were also recovered.”
They recovered only 20 of the 100 Krugerrand coins.
“Investigations are still continuing and hopefully police will recover the outstanding property.”
The note to residents from the estate management, mentioned more security measures would be contemplated. - Daily news