A Schaapkraal farmer might have been tempted to scream “my cabbages” yesterday (11 August), like the character in the popular meme that is currently trending, after vegetables stolen from his farm were recovered.

Veggies spotted

The incident began when a resident of St Helena Street, Strandfontein, which borders Schaapkraal, spotted a trailer full of “what appeared to be lettuce and cabbage”, Ward 43 councillor Elton Jansen said in a post on his WhatsApp channel.

According to Sandy Schuter, chair of the Strandfontein Community Police Forum (CPF), the resident suspected that the veggies were stolen.

The resident alerted Schuter to the suspicious trailer and she in turn called the area’s Neighbourhood Safety Officers to investigate.

“Acting swiftly on the tip-off, Ward 43 Neighbourhood Safety Officers were mobilised and responded without delay,” Schuter said in a statement.

Veggies recovered

The officers caught the alleged thieves “red-handed” as they were transferring the vegetables to a getaway vehicle “waiting on standby”, the statement said.

The goods and vehicle were confiscated and the alleged thieves apprehended. All were held at Strandfontein Police Station, Schuter said.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that five people were arrested by metro police.

Farmer tracked down

Schuter reached out to Jansen, who contacted the farmers in Schaapkraal.

“A farmer confirmed that the crop was stolen from his plantation and confirmed that the same vehicle was used in a previous theft,” Jansen said on his WhatsApp channel.

Veggies returned?

The fate of the veggies is yet unknown, but Schuter said that it will likely be returned to the farmer.

“They can’t book it in because it will perish, so it was probably given back,” she said.

Crime-fighting praised

Jansen praised the coordinated effort that led to the arrest.

“Well done to all involved to secure a successful arrest. It just confirms that the fight against crime is a team effort and we all need to weigh-in and play our part in fighting crime,” he said.

ALSO READ: WATCH | Choppers called in to douse massive compost fire