2010/05/17
THREE drunken burglars were arrested after being caught red-handed drinking a large quantity of beer inside a bar they had broken into in Mthatha early yesterday.
Police found the three suspects drinking inside the Gwebilanga Bottlestore in Northcrest.
A fourth suspect managed to escape when he noticed the police arrive.
About five hours after the arrest, employees of the bar found three firearms inside, believed to belong to the suspects.
Tavern employees said after counting more than a dozen empty quart beer bottles it appeared the suspects drank beer worth about R170.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said police were alerted by a community member who suspected something was wrong inside the bottlestore as he walked past at about 1am.
“We ordered them to surrender and come out with their hands on their heads, but they resisted. After a while they complied and we arrested them.”
Police also recovered a crowbar and a pick head, which had apparently been used to break into the bar.
Fatyela said the three men would be charged with housebreaking and theft and police were still trying to link them with the recovered firearms.
Bar employees said they only noticed the break-in when they arrived to open at about 6.30am.
“We also saw a number of empty beer bottles behind the counter, which show that the criminals were drinking,” said Phumla Nhlanyani.
Another, Vabaza Mzimvubu, said the three 9mm firearms were found hidden inside the bar: “One was covered with a balaclava, while the other two were placed in a pot on the table and covered with a table cloth.”
A third employee, Thembela Shali, said: “After counting the empty bottles it became clear that they had drunk beer worth R170.”
Shali, who added it was the second break-in within a month, added: “There were also broken bottles behind the counter.”
Community members said the bar was targeted before. “A previous owner was shot and killed during a break-in last year,” said one. - By BONGANI HANS, Mthatha Bureau
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