Sentinel Security reaction and patrol officers on routine patrol made a significant breakthrough in curbing infrastructure theft when they intercepted three suspects found carrying traffic lights.

The officers, who were conducting standard patrols in the Alrode South area, noticed the suspicious individuals in possession of the equipment. They immediately intervened and contacted the EMPD for assistance.

Upon arrival, metro officers confirmed that the items were indeed stolen municipal property, believed to have originated from Old Vereeniging Road. The suspects were immediately detained, and the recovered equipment was handed over to EMPD for further investigation and processing.

Sentinel Security operations management representative, Loris Barbera, said that incidents of infrastructure theft are on the rise across Gauteng, with criminals targeting street lights, traffic signals, and other municipal assets for their metal and copper components.

“Infrastructure theft is a growing concern within Gauteng, particularly targeting traffic lights and street lights for their metal and copper cable scrap value,” said Barbera. “Our teams are actively engaged in combating this issue alongside law enforcement, regularly chasing suspects and recovering stolen materials.”

Barbera added that Sentinel Security has seen numerous successes in recent months, working closely with law enforcement agencies to recover stolen infrastructure and return it to local municipalities.

“We remain committed to protecting public infrastructure and ensuring the safety of our communities,” Barbera said. “We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity or tampering with street infrastructure directly to local metro police or SAPS.”

The incident serves as another example of effective collaboration between private security and public law enforcement in tackling the persistent issue of infrastructure damage and theft, a crime that impacts not only service delivery but also public safety across Alberton and other areas in Gauteng.