Laudium cops bust three thieves trying to sell cellphone tower batteries from the back of their van

Three men were arrested by the police in Laudium after community members spotted them trying to sell large cellphone tower batteries on Marble Street on Saturday morning, May 15.

The suspects were allegedly trying to sell the batteries from their white Nissan NP200 van, according to Laudium police spokesperson Sergeant Simon Chokoe.

Chokoe said police acted decisively and lodged an operation to apprehend the culprits.

He said the police spotted the car on Marble Street and quickly cornered it to prevent it from fleeing.

“Upon searching the vehicle, we found eight orange and black cellphone tower batteries which the suspects couldn’t account for.

“The suspects, aged between 21 and 31, were immediately arrested for possession of the suspected stolen property,” he added.

In an unrelated incident, Laudium police arrested a 36-year-old man in possession of an unlicensed firearm at the Itireleng informal settlements sports grounds on Sunday afternoon, May 15.

The police, together with the TMPD, took part in the arrest, according to Chokoe.

Chokoe said the police followed up on the information provided, and a man matching the description provided was spotted and cornered at a taxi rank near the sports grounds.

“Upon searching the suspect, we found a firearm, a magazine and a round of live ammunition he couldn’t account for.

“We immediately arrested the 36-year-old for possession of an unlicensed firearm,” he said.

Chokoe said police will continue with visibility patrolling and stop-and-search operations.

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