Solar panels stolen from Bartica School recovered at businessman’s home

A 27-year-old security guard is the main suspect in the theft of four solar panels from the Two Miles Primary School in Bartica.

Police said the guard admitted to the crime which occurred between Friday, April 19, and Monday, April 22, 2024.

A businessman at whose home the items were recovered was also arrested and is in police custody.

According to a statement from Police Headquarters, the four Merisolar solar panels are valued at $260,000.

Recently, repairs were done at the school and solar panels were replaced. The old panels were stored under the school’s stairway. The school is monitored on a 24-hour basis by a security service.

On Monday, Melanie Gardener, the school’s Canteen Manager was cleaning in the vicinity where the panels were stored and observed that four of the panels were missing. As a result, she brought it to the Head Teachers’ attention, who later reported the matter to the police.

Acting on information received, the police visited the home of a Bartica businessman, who gave them some information; the suspect was then contacted and questioned, and he admitted to the theft.

The businessman was further questioned and he took the ranks to a vehicle where two of the panels were stored; he then went to the roof of his building, removed two other panels and handed them over to the police.

Both the suspect and the businessman were told of the offense committed, cautioned, arrested, and placed into custody.

Investigations are ongoing.