While on early-morning crime prevention patrols in the Malvern area on January 30, Cleveland SAPS officers arrested one of three men suspected of copper cable theft.
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“Police noticed three men busy dragging what looked like a black pipe on Queen and Tooronga streets,” spokesperson for Cleveland SAPS, Capt Johan Jordaan, told the EXPRESS.
“When they went closer to investigate, the three started running in different directions. One jumped into a red Opel Cadet and drove off while the other two continued to flee on foot.
“Officers gave chase and managed to stop the vehicle and arrest a single suspect. After closer investigation, it was found that the pipe was a huge piece of copper cable and that it was stolen out of the Tooronga Street substation. In the vehicle, they found the equipment that the suspects used to cut the pipe.”
Jordaan said the suspect in custody, 27-year-old Clement Mudusa, appeared in the Jeppe Magistrate’s Court on January 31.
He said a case of tampering with essential infrastructure, possession of stolen copper cables and possession of house break-in equipment was opened against the suspect.
“He will also be linked to other similar cases that occurred in the last week. The case will be investigated fully and hopefully the other suspects will be arrested soon and positively linked to other cases in the Cleveland policing area,” added Jordaan.
“We urge the community to come forward with any information regarding this crime. The police station can be contacted at any time on 011 607 5745/6/7.”
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