LYDENBURG – Four suspects were left high and dry after they were nabbed by police for what they had perceived as an easy meal ticket.
According to the communications officer of Lydenburg SAPS, Capt Mabokalate Mashabela, police received a tip-off about a supposed deal involving a stolen Atlas Copco COP1838 HD drifter.
This machine is commonly used on a low-profile rig to drill the mining panel for production purposes and will normally drill a 3,.2m hole with a 45mm diameter. This machine alone is worth R1 000 000.
The suspects apparently met at Laramie Spur to discuss the details of the deal. Police officers were dispatched to the scene to observe the suspects. “They didn’t notice us as we were driving unmarked vehicles. The suspects then headed to Potgieter Street. Police officers continued to follow them and parked several metres away.”
As soon as the men produced the box with the drifter, the officers moved in and made the arrests. Mashabela said four suspects, two Caucasian males, a Pakistani male and a African male was arrested for the possession of stolen property. They were apparently trying to sell the machine for R300 000.
“The suspects were under the impression that the police officers were the ones who was supposed to bring the cash to seal the deal.”
He said four drifters were stolen from Modikwa mine in Burgersfort. “We can confirm that a case for the said stolen drifters has been opened. The suspects did not disclose to us whether they have any information regarding the other three missing drifters. The lawful owner managed to identify the machine.”
They appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court last week Friday.
