Serial burglar remanded in custody

Tumelo Mouwane | Thursday February 18, 2016 16:04

 

The state opposed Dikgomo’s bail application. The investigating officer in the case, constable detective Rakgare testified that he was against the accused’s bail application. The officer said the investigations were at an initial stage. He further said the police need the accused person’s assistance as they have not yet recovered the stolen property.

“Our investigations are still at an initial stage and we plead for the accused to be remanded in custody. We need the accused person’s assistance in recovering the stolen property,” said Rakgare.

 Thekolo remanded the accused person and postponed the matter to February 23 for the delivery of bail ruling.

Dikgomo faces two counts of stealing from a dwelling house and two counts of house breaking.

The state alleges that on February 2, 2016 in Lobatse, he broke into Joshua Henstod’s house in Boswelatlou ward with the intent to steal. On count two, Dikgomo is alleged to have in the same house stolen a dark grey Toshiba laptop and its charger valued at P4,000 and a red bag valued at P50.

On count three the accused person is alleged to have in the same neighbourhood broken into Susan Phetlhu’s house still with the same motive of stealing.

Continuing streak of burglary and theft on the fateful day, Dikgomo is alleged to have stolen five kilograms of chicken braai pack, red meat, and 750 millilitres of Three Ships whisky and 750 millilitres of wine, property belonging to Phetlhu. All the stolen property is valued at P4,494.

Prosecutor sub inspector Boitumelo Chinyenge said the accused person allegedly went house to house pretending to be a service provider from a certain ministry whilst his real motive was to steal from victims.

“His targets were houses where no one was at home,” Chinyenge told the court.