Alert cops foil state exhibit heist

Suspect caught with phones and copper wire

A Chinese national has been detained by police after being found in possession of cellphones, copper cables and other items which were allegedly stolen from the Midrand police storage.

The man, believed to be a scrap metal dealer, was spotted driving away from the police station in a Nissan bakkie pulling a fully loaded open trailer on Wednesday.

A police source told Sowetan that onduty officers who spotted the bakkie became suspicious when they saw sealed police plastic bags that are used to keep evidence in the back of the trailer.

The businessman allegedly claimed he had bought the goods for R1,500 from the Midrand police station but failed to produce proof of purchase.

“He then led the police to his house where more goods were recovered,” the source said.

Gauteng police spokesperson Col Lungelo Dlamini said there was a criminal investigation and an internal investigation launched into the matter.

“The goods were found when the Midrand police stopped a van. The occupants of the van informed them that the goods were being taken to a business person dealing in second-hand goods. He was then taken to the station for detention and questioning,” Dlamini said.

Another source, who believed the incident was an inside job, told Sowetan yesterday that some of the items found in the possession of the businessman were 15 Telkom mast batteries estimated at R30,000 each.

He said the batteries were stolen in the area about two weeks ago.