Ten televisions, a subwoofer, and a bike with an estimated value collectively of R45000 were stolen at a well-known trading store in Grassy Park right under the noses of the neighbours in 5th Avenue, between 3am and 5am, on Thursday November 15.
WarrantOfficerWynita Kleinsmith, spokesperson for Grassy Park police, confirmed that the residence of a registered dealer Hassan Rawoot who sells second-hand and new appliances, was broken into by an unknown suspect, dressed in a hoodie (face not visible).
Mr Rawoot said this was the biggest burglary at Rawoot Traders in 25 years and he is offering a R5 000 reward for anyone who can help find the perpetrators leading to an arrest.
Grassy Park police said the detectives are in the process of perusing the CCTV footage for details.
However, Mr Rawoot’s wife Shayma said they have recorded some of the burglar’s movements on their own security televisions.
“The gate lock was broken where we store the TVs. On the recovery footage we could see how he carried three TVs and stopped at the neighbour’s, then paused there, walked off and came back empty-handed. Later the neighbour said he looked out and thought the boxes lying on his property were empty.”
Ms Rawoot said the perpetrator was wearing a hoodie so they couldn’t see his face.
“He came back and took two more TVs and so it went on for almost two hours. Every time a car drives past he would make as if he was crossing the road to make it seem like he was just passing by.”
The Rawoot family were only alerted at 9am when their helper came to work and saw the gate open and he noticed that the store was not packed the way he left it the night before.
Ms Rawoot said her husband bought the TVs as Christmas stock and it was a big loss.
Warrant Officer Kleinsmith said residents are urged to come forward with information about crime. “The reward system proves to be fruitful. Crime and criminals can be reported and a reward could be received by the reporter.”
If you have any information about the burglary, contact Detective Constable Elrick Titus on 074 573 1421.
* Anyone with information on crime can call the police at 021 700 3940 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Police say all information will be treated as highly confidential.