EASTERN CAPE - POLICE BAFFLED AFTER BRAZEN THIEVES ROB EC POLICE STATION OF 30 GUNS

A break-in at a police station in the Eastern Cape where 30 guns were reportedly stolen will see a top notch special Provincial Task Team putting their heads together in attempt to crack the case.

The case was deemed so serious in nature that experts from Pretoria were flown in to assist with the investigation. The break-in was reported on Tuesday at Peddie Police Station near Grahamstown.

It is not clear how many suspects were involved in the incident, but police believe entry was gained through the ceiling. Sources who did not want to be named said that once the culprits gained entry into the SAP 13 room, they had carte blanche and got away with at least 30 official police firearms.

A SAP 13 store is usually situated at police stations and consists of rooms where official or confiscated firearms are stored.

These rooms are separate from other rooms where other confiscated items such as drugs and recovered stolen property are kept. The African News Agency (ANA) understands that the firearms were only discovered missing on Tuesday while Grahamstown Cluster Commander, Brigadier David Kanuka, was busy with inspections at the police station.

It is understood that the missing firearms included six shotguns, nine pistols, 12 R5 rifles and three Berettas.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Marinda Mills, confirmed that the incident had been reported and said that a task team had been assigned to the case. "A Provincial Task Team, assisted by experts from Pretoria, are investigating the break-in at Peddie police station.

It was reported on Tuesday morning that access to the strongroom of the station was gained through the ceiling and firearms were found to be missing."

Mills said that a full audit was underway for firearms allocated to the station for operational use, as well as for firearms kept for exhibit purposes. "Only after this has been completed, will we be able to confirm the number of firearms stolen," she said. No arrests have yet been made.

VIA - iol