Man bust for alleged copper theft
A COUNCILLOR went the extra mile for his ward constituents yesterday when he “busted” a man believed to be part of a gang operating in Lerato Park that is notorious for allegedly stealing copper.
The 29-year-old man was arrested in Lerato Park yesterday after being found in possession of suspected stolen copper.
According to the police, the Roodepan Detective unit arrested the 29-year-old man for possession of suspected stolen goods.
“On Thursday, October 17, 2019, at about 7am, the detectives received information and pounced on alleged copper thieves in a veld close to Lerato Park. The police chased after the suspects and managed to arrest one, while the other three males are still at large,” police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said.
He added that the approximate value of the bakkie-load of copper is R400 000.
Another charge of tampering with, damaging or destroying essential infrastructure was also be added to the case, Kock said.
While the suspect should appear in court soon, the police requested that anyone with information contact Detective Constable Samuel Modise on 053 807 5500.
The Roodepan station commander, Colonel Regina Mienies, lauded the detectives for professional and prompt reaction and also thanked the community for their assistance in this regard.
Meanwhile, councillor Paul Kock, who alerted the police to the alleged copper thieves, said that it was believed that the copper cables were stolen from the Homevale Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Kock said that a member of the community alerted him to the suspects who were busy “cleaning” copper cables in the veld.
“On my way there, I contacted the police, who arrived on the scene with me. Three men ran away, while one was arrested. We believe these suspects are part of the Gold Pick Boys – a gang operating in Lerato Park and notorious for allegedly stealing copper,” Kock said.
He added that the copper apparently weighed more than 170kg.
A member of the public raised concern about the fact that the copper was apparently stolen from the Homevale Waste Water Treatment Plant and claimed that it could have been “an inside job”.
“There are always people on duty there (at the Homevale Waste Water Treatment Plant). How can so much copper be stolen in their presence. I think the police must send in intelligence operatives to be part of those workers so that bad apples are rooted out ... because this smacks of an inside job,” said the resident.