GREAT teamwork from Mahlabatini SAPS, K9 Unit and Gavin Minnot from Empire Dairies, recently led to the successful recovery of a stolen vehicle.
The Empire Dairies company vehicle, a Kia KT-700, was stolen from the home of a staff member in Bhekuzulu at approximately 7am on the morning of August 9.
The matter was reported to the police by Gavin Minnot of Empire Dairies, who received assistance from the Mahlabatini K9 Unit as well as the Mahlabatini SAPS Task Team, who were deployed to assist with the recovery of the vehicle.
Empire Dairies has strict security measures in place due to several recent robberies and this led to Mr Minnot being able to track the vehicle’s exact location to a remote area in a valley in Mpungose, using the tracking device’s GPS coordinates.
With the help of local pilot, Mornè Strauss, Minnot was able to fly over the area, pinpointing the precise location to ensuing police who were closing in on the suspects, who attempted to flee in the stolen vehicle when they spotted the airplane overhead.
The fleeing thieves were brought to an abrupt halt when their getaway route led them straight into the long arms of the law and they found themselves head to head with the approaching authorities.
Gavin Minnot would like to thank Captain Van Ellinckhuyzen of the Vryheid Crime Intelligence Unit, as well as the Mahlabatini SAPS Task Team and K9 Unit for their service and response which led to the recovery of the vehicle.
One person was arrested, but has since been released as no formal charges were laid.
