Busted!
Two men were tracked down and arrested with stolen property in their possession, hours after a break-in at Ultra City near Middelburg.
Mr Louwrens du Plessis of the Guardian Group, responsible for security at the petrol stations next to the N4, said that they were notified of a suspicious vehicle at the Ultra City by the security guard on duty. A task team rushed to the scene but not before the identified vehicle, a VW Polo with three suspects inside, broke into a car and escaped with stolen goods.
“We had a good description of the vehicle, number plate as well as the occupants. After having a look at the video material my son Gerdus and I decided to go look at all the usual hangouts to see if we do not perhaps spot them,” said Mr Du Plessis.
The vehicle was spotted near the Midwater Centre. One of the occupants got out on foot and walked towards the centre whilst the other two drove off. The car was followed.
Once it was parked inside the closed-off Afgri parking lot, the Guardian Group managed to close off all escape routes. With the help of the police the car and two occupants inside were searched.
“They matched the description given by the guard as well as that which we got from the video material,” Mr Du Plessis said.
They were found in possession of suspected stolen goods as well as possible car breaking equipment including a remote control used to jam signals and a spark plug used to break windows.
The person whose property was stolen at the rest station was on his way from Lydenburg to OR Tambo International Airport.
Jackie Mellot opened a case at the Stellenbosch police shortly after his arrival in the Western Cape.
“We could not have done this without the help of the police,” Mr Du Plessis said. He mentioned constables Hlakole and Malatjie who were on the scene first as well as capt. Jack Scholtz and the POPS team.
Mr Du Plessis and his son returned to the place where they first spotted the car and managed to retrieve an identity document and firearm licence belonging to Mr Mellot.
• Poncho Thibele and David Khoza appeared in the Middelburg court on Wednesday. They were refused bail and will appear in court for their formal bail application next week.
