In a crackdown on infrastructure theft, police arrested multiple suspects for copper cable theft in two separate incidents in Gqeberha and Kariega on Thursday, May 16.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, it is alleged that on Thursday, May 16, at approximately 15:15, a member of the community provided information to SAPS Algoa Park Crime Prevention members about a blue VW Polo stationary in Uitenhage Road.
She said the information indicated that people were busy stealing copper cables and loading them into the vehicle.
“The members immediately reacted, and when the suspects noticed the SAPS vehicle, they drove off. A high-speed chase ensued, and in Old Bethelsdorp Road, and the vehicle was stopped. Four suspects jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot in different directions,” she explained.
“One suspect was arrested, while the other three suspects ran into the bushes in the direction of Salt Lake. During the search of the vehicle, rolls of copper cables were found. The members searched in the vicinity of Uitenhage Road where the vehicle had been parked and discovered approximately 200 metres of overhead cables had been removed (cut).”
The VW Polo was also confiscated for further investigation.
The suspects were detained on charges relating to the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, damage to essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen property, and reckless or negligent driving.
Janse Van Rensburg further reported that on Thursday around 08:30, while patrolling Mills Street in Kariega, SAPS Kariega members were alerted by community members about two suspects threatening them with a panga and a knife.
“The members followed up on the information and in Thornton Street, Kariega, they arrested the two suspects aged 36 and 37.
“They confiscated the dangerous weapons and also confiscated 1.73kg of copper cables.
“These suspects were detained on charges of possession of dangerous weapons and possession of suspected stolen property,” she concluded.
The suspects will appear in their respective courts within their station precinct soon.
