Four caught red-handed digging for cables in Centurion
A suspect and TMPD officer injured in shootout.
Shots were fired and two persons injured when the Tshwane metro police’s anti-cable unit confronted a group of alleged cable thieves in the Wierdabrug police precinct in Centurion on Monday, February 6.
A suspect and a TMPD officer were injured in the shootout, according to the metro’s community safety department.
The metro police officers came across four suspects busy digging a trench in the area when they responded to a cable theft complaint.
The suspects fled and the officers gave chase. The suspects opened fire at them, but the TMPD managed to apprehend three of the four suspects.
Both were taken to a hospital for treatment. The remaining two suspects were detained at Wierdabrug police station and charged with common robbery and damaging and tampering with essential infrastructure
The arrests came following another arrest by the unit in Hercules the previous day.
On the day, TMPD officers spotted two persons digging a trench in an area that is infamous for cable theft. When the officers approached the suspects, one fled and the other was taken into custody.
The suspect, a 62-year-old South African citizen, was charged with damaging and tampering with essential infrastructure and the possession of suspected stolen copper. He was detained at Hercules police station.
A suspect was also arrested in Bronkhorstspruit for cable theft last week.
“I want to commend both units for their outstanding work and I wish the injured member a speedy recovery,” said MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen.
Residents can report any suspicious activity to the TMPD on 012 358 7095/7096 and any information or complaints related to cable theft on 012 358 1550.
*Please note this article has been amended
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