KEY POINTS
- The police arrested Innocent John Pretorius who is 51 years old for targeting elderly residents in Mpumalanga with theft crimes.
- The suspect managed to evade capture for many months while authorities believe he could be responsible for additional theft activities.
- The trial proceedings for the suspect will begin on February 24, 2025 while the defendant stays behind bars.
The Mpumalanga police caught a 51-year-old who deprived multiple elderly facilities of their belongings over several months of being wanted by authorities.
String of thefts uncovered
On February 12 police officers arrested Innocent John Pretorius for a theft that took place in July 2024 against a 76-year-old pensioner at an old-age home in Belfast.
The police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane stated Pretorius operated as a fake cleaning company to obtain valuable possessions of elderly people.
Pretorius managed to escape authorities following the theft announcement before law enforcement captured him recently. Police experts assume Pretorius played a role in pending crimes across four other locations which include Middelburg, Howard, Paulpietersburg and Belfast.
Suspect in court
Pretorius presented himself in front of the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Friday before the court decided to delay the proceedings until February 24, 2025. He remains in custody.
Police urge public to report crimes
The arrest received support from Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi at the provincial acting commissioner position while he called on victims to come forward with reports of crimes.
The arrest provides an opportunity for citizens to sustain their trust in the justice system of South Africa. Justice officials can prosecute criminals after the public reports crimes according to the officer.
