Three suspects arrested for theft of copper cables in Trichardt
The bakkie's registration number did not correspond with the vehicle, as it was registered to a Chevrolet in Trichardt.
Three suspects aged between 29 and 34 years old, were arrested on January 26, for the theft of copper cables outside Trichardt on the gravel road between Terra Nova and Kriel.
According to information received Sasol security and Servest security officers spotted three suspects at about 03:00 in the morning at a nearby mine.
Observation was done on these suspects until the pick-up vehicle arrived at about 05:00 and the stolen cable and other equipment were loaded onto the vehicle. The security teams waited for the suspects along the gravel road and stopped the vehicle. The driver was immediately arrested. The other two suspects fled on foot, and was soon apprehend by the security teams.
Upon closer inspection, the suspects were found to be in the possession of stolen copper cables and other equipment used to remove these cables.
A bakkie with Mpumalanga registration plates was used.
The bakkies registration number did not correspond with the vehicle and license disc, as it was registered to a Chevrolet in Trichardt.
It was also established that the vehicle belongs to the brother of the driver.
The vehicle has since been confiscated for further investigation to determine whether it may have been used in the commission of other crimes.
Trichardt Police were summoned to the mine whereby the suspects were handed over.
The men were charged with theft of copper cables.
One of the suspects, aged 32, is a Mozambican national and was additionally charged with contravening the Immigration Act.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court today, January 27.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges being added.
Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, acting provincial commissioner of Mpumalanga SAPS, welcomed the arrests and applauded the cooperation between the security company and the police, stating that such collaboration plays a vital role in reducing crime.
NOTE: This story has been amended.
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