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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
TWO men allegedly broke into a safari camp in Dete and stole property worth £3 000 belonging to a British couple that was booked at the facility.
The suspects allegedly used a knife to cut the tent in which the complainants, Mr Robert Talbort (67) and his wife Mrs Andrea Moxham Talbort, who were on holiday, were sleeping.
According to a source, the couple was booked at Hides Safaris in Dete when the thieves allegedly broke into their tent and stole two Canon cameras and two lenses, a Samsung mobile phone handset, a purse containing US$300, canvas safari bag, sunglasses and a make-up bag.
Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“We received a report about some people who broke into a camping site and stole property belonging to foreigners. We are conducting investigations and we would also want to urge safari operators to put in place security measures to ensure that the property of people who visit and book at their premises is safe,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
A source said the theft took place on Saturday night.
“On 28 September at 10PM, the complainant and his wife Andrea Moxham Talbort, who were on holiday, retired to bed. While asleep around midnight, the complainant heard some movements in the tent and woke up. He saw two people but could not see their faces because it was dark,” said the source.
Mr Talbort allegedly woke up his wife and the suspects escaped through an opening they had cut on the tent.
He blew a whistle to alert camp security who followed the two suspects’ footprints up to the railway line.
The safari camp security laid an ambush at Malindi Railway Station hoping to see the suspects boarding the train.
The couple discovered that two Canon cameras and two lenses, a Samsung mobile handset, purse containing $300, canvas safari bag, sunglasses and a make-up bag were missing.
The total value of stolen property is 2 990 Pounds which is equivalent to about $55 125 using the interbank rate.
A report was made at Dete Police Station.
The camp manager, Ms Kierra Addison, is offering RTGS$16 000 to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects. — -@ncubeleon
Online Reporter