The suspect accused of stealing an Isuzu double-cab in the Volksrust/ Ermelo area appeared in the Ladysmith court yesterday and was granted bail of R5000, according to SAPS Corporate Communications W/O BA Khan.

On Sunday morning, the Ladysmith police SAPS Tracking Task Team, K9 Unit and Tactical Response Team responded to a vehicle tracker activation. They subsequently stopped and recovered the vehicle that was reported missing as it entered Ladysmith, A 23-year-old man was arrested.

The owner of the vehicle told the Ladysmith Gazette that he got a message on Saturday night. He received a message from the tracker unit that his vehicle was in Newcastle. “Knowing I had left my car and no one had access to the vehicle, I immediately contacted Newcastle SAPS, then the Ladysmith K9 were notified to look out for the vehicle, as it was heading towards Ladysmith.”

Ladysmith K9 officers spotted the vehicle near the Clover depot and it was stopped. The driver was arrested for being in possession of stolen goods and was detained in Ladysmith. The owner of the vehicle came down to Ladysmith to successfully identify his bakkie, but was unable to take it home the same day, as it was impounded by police. After the necessary formalities were concluded, the owner collected his vehicle on Tuesday.

The case has been remanded to July 4.

Breaking news : Stolen vehicle recovered in CBD