A midnight sheep-snatching mission ended in a dramatic crash landing when suspected stock thieves lost control of a stolen bakkie while trying to flee from police and community patrollers.

According to Sedibeng Ster, the incident began at around 03:00 when Barrage police received reports of a suspicious white Isuzu bakkie without number plates travelling along the R54.

Station commander Lieutenant Colonel Johann Greyling said that Sergeant Ramovha and Constable Ramasunya were alerted by the Belrex Control Room and immediately responded to the call.

Police said the vehicle had already been stolen before being used in an alleged livestock theft at a nearby plot in Overvaal. The owner of the bakkie was alerted to the theft and, alongside his worker, jumped into another vehicle to search for his stolen bakkie.

A dramatic chase on the R54

While driving towards the area where the bakkie was last spotted, the owner came face-to-face with the vehicle loaded with a flock of sheep. “We made a U-turn immediately after spotting the vehicle and the occupants tried to evade us. They lost control after plunging onto the side rails of the road,” the owner explained.

Police and community patrollers were already hot on the suspects’ trail. When the bakkie crashed, the suspects allegedly jumped out and disappeared into the darkness.

Dozens of sheep recovered

Additional officers, including Warrant Officer Jonck and Warrant Officer Landman, were called in to assist. However, they were already busy with another stock theft recovery in Vereeniging where four sheep had been stolen.

A total of 42 Dorper sheep estimated at R105 000 were successfully recovered during the operation.

The animals, which were marked with red and yellow tags, were identified by their rightful owner in Lindequesdrif at 06:15 through their ear tags. Police later returned to the scene after investigations revealed that another 10 sheep were still missing.

Greyling praised the swift response of his officers and community patrollers, noting that their teamwork was vital in recovering the livestock. He also urged farmers and livestock owners to properly identify their animals to make it easier for police to trace stolen stock and return it to its rightful owners.

The suspects had not been traced at the time of publication.

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