Malvern SAPS recovers railways stolen copper wire
Police say those arrested for copper theft have a better chance of being prosecuted when there is recovered goods or video footage.
SWIFT reaction to an early morning report of copper cable theft at a railway station resulted in the recovery of copper cables and tools and the arrest of one man.
Malvern SAPS
“On Friday, 11 September, at 1:05am, patrolling Malvern SAPS officers, W/O Hemont Raghoonundan and Cst Thokozane Mazeka received a complaint from the charge office of the theft of copper cables at Moseley Railway Station, Northdene,” said Malvern Communications Officer Sgt Sthembile Kheswa.
“The members proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival, they observed five men on the railway platform cutting the overhead cables,” said Kheswa. “All suspects noticed the marked police vehicle and fled the scene in different directions.”
Kheswa said Raghoonundan and Mazeka chased the suspects on foot but were only able to apprehend one suspect. However, they did recover copper cables and a bolt cutter on the scene.
“The suspect was transported to the Malvern SAPS where a case was opened, and the suspect detained and charged accordingly,” said Kheswa.
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Witnesses
Police investigating copper theft sometimes have to release suspects when there isn’t evidence to keep them in custody. Bellair SAPS arrested a man suspected of copper cable theft on Sunday. 13 September, but had to release the suspect when a person who had claimed to have witnessed the theft changed their mind about having witnessed the incident.
“This is what happens when the arrest isn’t connected to any recovered goods,” explained Bellair SAPS communications officer, Sgt Pam Pillay. “However, we did also arrest another suspect along with recovered goods,” she said.
In the case of the arrest on Tuesday, 15 September Pillay said the suspect had originally been apprehended by PRASA officials at Booth Station.
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“The arrest was made by Cst Terrino Wade Thomas, The man was in possession of the copper cables so he was charged with being in possession of items which are suspected to have been stolen,” said Pillay.
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