Four suspects nabbed while guarding suspected stolen copper

The Kroonstad Crime Prevention Unit arrested suspects while guarding overheat copper in Kroonstad on Wednesday, 13 April.

According to Fezile Dabi police spokesperson, Captain Malebo Khosana, the unit received information on Wednesday morning about people at a taxi rank who needed to hire a vehicle for copper transportation.

“Warrant officer Charles Molefi led the team as they rushed to the long distance taxi rank near Transnet Railway Station,” added Khosana.

The police found the man suspected to be the one in need of transport and questioned him. He then took the authorities to the crime scene at the silos behind the railway station.

Upon arrival, the police found trio suspects sitting next to a bundle of copper, seemingly guarding it. They then arrested the three suspects including the other suspect from the taxi rank for possession of suspected stolen property.

“During a routine search of the suspects, the police found and confiscated two Okapi knives and a hacksaw,” informed Khosana.

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The Crime Prevention Unit team also confiscated the copper cables found in the suspects’ possession. Contact cable weighed 366kg while catinary cable weight 62kg and they had a street value of about R90 110,98.

Authorities believe the cut overhead copper pieces to be the property of Transnet.

Upon further questioning, the police found that the four suspects aged 25-35 were illegal immigrants from Lesotho.

All suspects will soon appear before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court facing possession of suspected stolen property and illegal immigration.