R1.1M worth of engines stolen at Pretoria Ford Motor Company
The 36 engines are estimated at R1.1- million and four suspects including two FMCSA security personnel, a mechanical repair shop owner and the truck driver have this week been arrested as a result of being in possession of some of the suspected stolen property.
The hawks are tracing the whereabouts of over 30 engines that were stolen from the Pretoria east-based Ford Motor Vehicle Company of South Africa using a courier service truck recently.
The investigation for the stolen engines was initiated by a complaint from the Ford Motor Vehicle Company of South Africa (FMCSA) when it suspected that there was a “possible” theft of engines.
The 36 engines are estimated at R1.1- million and four suspects including two FMCSA security personnel, a mechanical repair shop owner and the truck driver have this week been arrested as a result of being in possession of some of the suspected stolen property.
They are scheduled to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ court on July 24, 2023.
The arrests were made by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation On July 20, 2023 in Pretoria.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the hawks during investigations arrested suspects aged from 29 and 44.
The suspects are facing charges for theft and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle parts worth an estimated R1.1 million.
“The Hawks received information from the FMCSA about the possible theft of engines.
“Following up on the information, it was later established that the theft allegedly occurred in the premises of the FMCSA whereby a truck from a courier company was used to load racks with about 36 engines.”
She said post the truck being loaded, it managed to successfully exit the FMCSA premises without following proper procedure.
“The truck went to offload at Charles Leyds Street in Eersterus on the instructions to the driver by the forklift instructor.”
She said law enforcement officers found the racks and forklift in Eersterust, at a premises at the aforementioned location.
“Two elderly persons found in the premises explained that they did not know about the cargo.”
She said however that the engines were missing.
The Ford Motor Company plant is located in an industrial area on the outskirts of Silverton.
The Silverton assembly plant overseas the production of midsize pickup trucks.
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