\u201cCriminals will only continue stealing if there is a market for their stolen goods,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If you have accepted possession of goods or property that you know were stolen, you would typically be charged with a misdemeanour or felony, depending on the value of the stolen goods.<\/p>
\u201cIf you did not know that the goods were stolen, you probably haven\u2019t broken the law but you would have to return the goods to the real owner and report it to the SAPS,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Stolen goods are being sold generally through pawn shops, on online For-Sale sites, through social media platforms such as in market places.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SAPS are working closely with pawn shops and many of these shops are doing a good job of keeping stolen merchandise out of their stores,\u201d Goodenough said.<\/p>\n
Goodenough added the public needs to be aware of individuals called a fence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese individuals knowingly buy stolen goods in order to later resell them for profit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fence acts as a middleman between criminals and the eventual buyers of stolen goods who may not be aware that the goods are stolen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Drug users, she added, will generally steal small things that they sell to get their next fix of drugs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts important to note that they won\u2019t necessarily sell high value items.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey start small so by buying these items you are encouraging them to escalate to bigger crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needs to be stopped while it is still small,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
So, what can you do to stop this illegal activity?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Suspects arrested for various offences<\/a><\/p>\n Heed these safety tips when parking your vehicle<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you see a stolen item on a social platform, site or elsewhere, contact your local law enforcement.<\/p>\n \u201cHave the relevant information at hand, take a screenshot of the listing and\/or seller profile.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have been in contact with a seller of stolen goods, keep any messages you have received to be used as evidence,\u201d said Goodenough.<\/p>\n She says that gate motors are a huge problem.<\/p>\n \u201cMark your gate motor and parts inside the motor with a permanent marker.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone sells you a gate motor which is marked in the inside, you will know that it is a stolen gate motor.<\/p>\n \u201cReport them immediately,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you suspect something is not quite right, it probably isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to question where an item comes from.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd start managing crime in your home.<\/p>\n \u201cTeach your children not to take items that are not theirs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they do, help them return the item to the correct person.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to discourage the commission of crime.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t, we are directly encouraging it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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