Dumb thief bust while selling stolen bike on Gumtree

The case of an alleged thief who was caught after advertising a stolen motorbike on Gumtree has left many questioning the intelligence of criminals.

The incident took place in Muizenberg, South Africa, and has since garnered attention for the sheer audacity of the suspect.

Nico Applegreen, a 27-year-old man, was arrested after police recovered the stolen bike in his possession.

The owner of the motorbike had been searching online markets for a year when they stumbled upon their stolen vehicle listed on Gumtree.

Acting quickly, the owner posed as a potential buyer and arranged a meeting with Applegreen.

“The owner then pretended to be a customer and was going to buy it for R40 000. He then set up an appointment with the accused and the buyer went to the address given by the accused with the police,” explained the court during the suspect’s first appearance in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.

Applegreen now faces charges of theft and possession of stolen property.

The charge sheet reveals that he was unable to provide a reasonable explanation as to how the Suzuki GSX-R750, valued at around R200 000, ended up in his possession.

This incident serves as a reminder that criminals should not underestimate the power of technology and the determination of their victims.

Detective Inspector Mark Johnson remarked, “It’s astonishing how some thieves think they can get away with these crimes in the digital age. They leave a trail of evidence that can easily be traced back to them.”

The case has also sparked discussions about the effectiveness of online marketplaces in preventing the sale of stolen goods.

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