Truck parts land man in hot water
A QUICK-TALKING thief tried to evade arrest in Clairwood on Friday, 27 September, when he was approached by a Brighton Beach constable.
At about 6am, while on patrol in Clairwood, Constable Siduduzo Makhayi approached a man on the corner of Sirdar and Sastri roads carrying a heavy object and dragging along a hefty bag. Closer inspection revealed the object to be a truck crossmember, and inside the bag was a truck prop shaft.
When asked if the items belonged to him, the man claimed they did and that they were given to him by a nearby trucking company.
Knowing the value of the items was close to R30,000, Cst Makhayi was suspicious, thinking it was unlikely someone would give it away as scrap metal. He loaded the objects in his vehicle and together with the man drove to the alleged company.
Cst Makhayi was able to confirm that the items were not their stock and that they did not give anything to the man. The owner said the parts were quite expensive and would only be ordered on request. Cst Makhayi took the man to numerous trucking companies within the area and they all confirmed the parts were not theirs.
The 33-year-old man was arrested for being in possession of property suspected to be stolen and appeared in Durban Court on Tuesday, 1 October. He was remanded in custody for further investigation.
Brighton Beach SAP management commends Cst Makhayi for the investigative skills he displayed, which led to the arrest of the thief.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
