Three arrests have been made and various parts of a vehicle recovered after a bakkie was stolen in the Estcourt area.

On Monday morning, September 21, a family living in Ntabamhlophe awoke to the shocking discovery that their bakkie had been stolen.

The matter was reported to the police and a case docket was opened. Constable Ntombela of the Ladysmith Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit was tasked with investigating the theft.

Ntombela immediately began gathering information and appealed to the community to assist with the investigation. Information received soon proved valuable and directed police to the Esitulwane area.

Vehicle parts recovered and suspect arrested

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan said that police recovered various car parts, including a gearbox and tyres, believed to be linked to the stolen vehicle.

“A 27-year-old suspect was arrested and detained at Bergville SAPS. Further information obtained during the investigation and at the scene led police to the Rookdale area, where the stolen bakkie was allegedly stripped. At a premises in the area, police recovered an engine and arrested a second suspect, aged 41,” said Khan.

Third suspect arrested

As investigations continued, the front portion of a vehicle was discovered in the Bethany area.

A 35-year-old suspect was subsequently traced and arrested.

All three suspects have since appeared in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court.

Two of the accused were remanded into custody, while the third is currently out on bail.

The investigation remains ongoing and police are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft and dismantling of the vehicle.

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