Co-operation between police and reaction groups leads to recovery of trucks stolen in Springs
One truck was intercepted near Bronkhorstspruit, two others were pulled off near Roedtan and the fourth was recovered from a yard in Wonderboom, Pretoria.
Large scale co-operation between the police and several neighbourhood watch groups on Monday and Tuesday led to the recovery of four stolen trucks.
According to Derek Bester, chairman of the Sundra Bulldogs Neighbourhood Watch, he received a distressed call from Johan Botha, owner of Farmers Meat on Monday morning.
“Johan said at about 10:00, a gang of robbers took off with four Volvo trucks (the horses) from his yard in New Era, Springs.”
Bester immediately sent out the information on several groups and feedback came quick of the trucks being spotted in Paul Kruger Street and Ermelo Drive in Springs.
Sergeant Jaco Powell from the Benoni Flying Squad chased down one truck on the R42 near Bronkhorstspruit and arrested a suspect.
“Johan then phoned from the Jan van Riebeeck Street off-ramp on the N12. He was having a heart attack and I had to get paramedics to him. I also went to his aid,” explained Bester.
Information was received that two of the stolen trucks were on the way to Groblersdal. Bester contacted Carel Botha from the AfriForum Valke neighbourhood watch who liaised with AfriForum’s Hendrik Kotze in Groblersdal.
“The reaction teams on that side found the trucks near Roedtan heading towards the Beitbridge border post around 01:00 on Tuesday morning,” Bester told the newspaper.
According to him, the drivers jumped out of the stolen trucks and fled.
“The police found the fourth truck in a yard in Wonderboom, Pretoria.”
Bester commended everyone involved and said great co-operation and communication was key to the success.
“Johan is currently in Union Hospital and will undergo surgery today,” concluded Bester.
