After stock was allegedly stolen on 9 October, the staff at Thule have been on high alert. Two weeks later, two men were arrested at the store after the manager recognised them as the suspected individuals responsible for the alleged theft just 13 days prior. PHOTO: Supplied/Kiana Bredell
Stellenbosch SAPS have arrested two men in connection with a case of theft at the Thule store on Plein Street, Stellenbosch.
The alleged incident and arrests occurred around 16:00 on Thursday, 22 October, according to Rynhardt van Rensburg, store manager at Thule.
The arrests come after Van Rensburg recognised the two accused from video footage of previous theft at the store, said sergeant Jason Rhoda of Stellenbosch SAPS.
According to Rhoda, this is all that Stellenbosch SAPS can reveal, as the matter is still under investigation.
“My biggest concern was just the ladies in our store. Because the guys could have just changed direction and headed into our store,” said Ashwell Jonathan, the supervisor at Whitehouse who called SAPS for assistance. PHOTO: Supplied/Kiana Bredell
A suspected second attempt
According to Van Rensburg, when the two accused approached the store on Thursday, 22 October, he realised they were the same individuals suspected to have stolen R5000’s worth of bags earlier that month, on Friday 9 October.
“The guys came back wearing the same pants, same caps, same masks, same backpacks, same shoes, so they wore exactly what they wore the day they stole the first time,” alleged Van Rensburg.
According to Van Rensburg, he locked the accused inside the store before confronting them about the stolen goods.
According to store manager, Rynhardt van Rensburg, the two men had allegedly stolen R5000’s worth of bags on Friday, 9 October. Above is an example of one of the larger bags that was stolen. PHOTO: Tyler Setzer
“I told them that I know they have already stolen from the shop. I showed them the videos that I had, and also showed them their faces. Then I gave them the opportunity to pay for the bags,” said Van Rensburg.
The alleged suspects denied that they had stolen anything from the store and accused Van Rensburg of discriminating against them before attempting to leave the store, said Van Rensburg.
“Then I told the other employee in the store to phone the police,” he said.
However, when redirected to the correct station, the telephone line cut off, said Van Rensburg.
According to store manager, Rynhardt van Rensburg, the store only realised that stock had been allegedly stolen on 9 October when they noticed that bags were missing and decided to check the security cameras. PHOTO: Supplied/Kiana Bredell
Help from next door
According to Van Rensburg, it was an employee from the neighbouring store, Whitehouse, who eventually alerted the police.
“I was on my way back from Checkers when I walked past and noticed that their door was closed, which was a bit strange. Then I noticed the two guys in the store,” said Ashwell Jonathan, supervisor at Whitehouse.
According to Jonathan, he walked past Thule a second time so that the employees inside were aware that he knew what was going on.
“Then I came into our store, got the phone, and made a call to SAPS,” he said.
According to Van Rensburg, the two men are suspected to have worked with a tactic. One man distracts the employee on the floor by asking questions about the products, while the other stuffs bags into his jacket. Here is an example of one of the smaller bags the two men allegedly stole on Friday, 9 October. PHOTO: Tyler Setzer
According to both Jonathan and Van Rensburg, the police arrived on the scene shortly.
“It was probably five to seven minutes, it was really quick,” said Van Rensburg.
When the police arrived and conducted a search of the accused, a Thule sale tag fell out of one of the alleged suspects’ bags, added Van Rensburg.
“This is generally either an opportunistic crime or, in some cases, syndicates that operate in shops to commit shoplifting,” said Rhoda.
As of 17 November, Thule has received no updates on the case, according to Van Rensburg.
The Thule store that was allegedly robbed on Friday, 9 October, is situated on Plein Street, Stellenbosch. Surrounding stores include Whitehouse and Cape Union Mart. VIDEO: Tyler Setzer