Suspects to appear over copper theft

NINE suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today following the hijacking of a truck carrying about R600 000 worth of copper.

The suspects, aged from 33 to 43, were arrested in Philippi on Tuesday evening. Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said: “Police attached to the Flying Squad and provincial anti-hijacking unit on Tuesday acted on information about a truck with a load of copper that had been hijacked over the weekend.

“Following up on information received, police traced the suspects to an address in Philippi, where they allegedly found copper and recovered a hijacked vehicle … police proceeded to … Parow, where they allegedly found more copper valued at R600 000.”

In an unrelated incident, members of the Maitland Flying Squad arrested four suspects, who allegedly attempted to evade police on the R300, on Tuesday in Delft. Rwexana said the suspects, aged from 27 to 37, were allegedly found in possession of a 7.65 pistol and ammunition, and a police blue light and reflector jackets. They would appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

Meanwhile, detectives from the provincial organised crime unit have appealed to the public to assist them in tracing a person of interest in a murder case. According to police, the person has been identified as 45-yearold Refaat Loofer.

Police believe Loofer might have been the last person to see a murder victim alive. The victim’s mutilated body was found in a suitcase at Hazendal railway station, Athlone, in December.

Loofer is believed to be in the Elsies River, Bonteheuwel or Goodwood areas. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Pretorius, on 082 777 8499.