Petrol theft lands man (22) behind bars
Three men abandoned their getaway vehicle in Umlazi’s S-section after fleeing police on Thursday, 10 October.
The men filled their Quantum mini-bus with R500 worth of petrol at the BP garage in Montclair Road, before driving off without paying. A petrol attendant flagged down a police vehicle which was on patrol nearby. Police then chased the men into Kenyon Howden Road and into South Coast Road in the direction of Umlazi. Police called for back-up and the chase continued into Mangosuthu Highway.
Upon entering Juma Road in Umlazi’s S-section, the men escaped on-foot, abandoning the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered by Montclair SAP.
The vehicle had only the back registration plate in place and the licence disk and the registration plate did not correspond. A search into the registration plate revealed that it belonged to an identical vehicle, but not the one it was attached to. There were also many offenses registered to the same number plate, with some registered at Brighton Beach and Umbilo police stations.
The owner who was linked to the registration was called in and questioned. He claimed to be unaware of the criminal activities. The owner to whom the vehicle belonged handed over to the police one his driver’s whom he suspected was involved in the illegal activities.
The 22-year-old man was detained and charged with petrol theft. Video footage placed him at the scene of the crime. He appeared in Wentworth Court on Monday, 14 October. The owner made amends and paid for the petrol.
– mbalim@dbn.caxton.co.za
