An altercation unfolded at a pawn shop in the Verulam CBD – KZN on Friday morning after a suspect in a theft case was brought in to identify the buyer of stolen jewellery.
At approximately 13:28, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a distress call from a resident of Brindhaven – KZN. The caller stated that he required immediate assistance at the pawn shop on Wick Street following a confrontation involving a theft suspect and the store’s manager who produced a firearm during the altercation.
Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched and met with the complainant who explained that he had been assisting a known drug addict in his personal capacity by providing him with medication and temporary accommodation in his garage at his residence. However, yesterday morning (Thursday), the Good Samaritan discovered that the 41-year-old male had left the premises without notice.
Soon after, he also realised that his wife’s diamond wedding ring and a watch — together valued at R47,000 were missing from their kitchen. A case of theft was registered, and the homeowner circulated the suspect’s photo and details on a local community WhatsApp group, appealing for information on his whereabouts.
At around 11:00 today (Friday), the victim received information that the thief was walking along Madrona Drive in Trenance Park – KZN. Upon being confronted, the male admitted to the theft, stating that he had sold the stolen jewellery at a pawn shop on Wick Street for R200.
The man thereafter transported the suspect to the store to identify the items and the individual who purchased the jewellery. A heated confrontation thereafter erupted between the suspect and the store manager. According to witnesses, the manager physically assaulted the accused and brandished a firearm while questioning him about the jewellery, which the store denied ever receiving. Reaction Officers retrieved the weapon and established that it was a blank gun.
Both the suspect and the store manager were handed over to the Verulam SAPS in KZN for further investigation
