Man faces Illegal abalone possession rap
POLICE have arrested a 26-year-old man for the illegal possession of 496 units of abalone.
The suspect was apprehended on the N1 at Brackenfell and is scheduled to appear in the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said: “While out on patrol, police officers belonging to the Maitland Flying Squad stopped a suspicious vehicle on the N1, near Brackenfell. Upon searching it, officers discovered substantial units of abalone in the vehicle.
“A 26-year-old suspect was arrested on the scene and taken into custody. Once charged, the suspect will make a court appearance in Kuils River Magistrates’s Court tomorrow on the possession charge,” Twigg said.
In a separate incident, the City’s law enforcement metals theft unit arrested a business owner in Klipfontein Road for allegedly stealing City property.
Law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyson said: “Law enforcement officials were acting on an anonymous call relating to possible installations of the City’’ street lights at business premises at an establishment adjacent to Klipfontein Road.
“On arrival, officers noted at least nine LED streetlights installed on the premises. Six of the nine street lights, worth R16000, were positively identified as City property, and the owner of the business was placed under arrest for being in possession of stolen property.
“This is not the first time our officers have encountered this problem, as another business owner in the southern suburbs was also recently arrested for a similar incident.
“The metals theft unit will clamp down on people who illegally purchase these items, as reports indicate these incidents are not isolated and lights are even installed at private residences,” Dyson said.
Meanwhile, in Kraaifontein, four suspects are set to appear in court soon, once charged following their arrest over the weekend for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The suspects’ arrests come amid calls by residents for more policing resources to be instituted into the local community due to increasing gun violence and crime.