Law enforcement success as greedy thieves cut up kilometres of cable
IT’S been a busy start to the festive season for law enforcement officers hot on the heels of cable thieves, leading to four arrests in as many days.
On Friday at about 7.30pm, Rail Enforcement Unit officers were called out to Netreg station, where a suspect was seen cutting an overhead feeder cable.
“The officers surprised him with their quick arrival on the scene but he nevertheless tried to run. He was quickly caught and arrested. A hacksaw and 190 metres of cable were recovered,” said law enforcement inspector Wayne Dyason.
On Sunday, the City’s Metal Theft and Rail Enforcement units responded to information provided about cable thieves at Bonteheuwel railway station. The stolen cable was allegedly taken to an address close by.
“Members of the City of Cape Town Metal Theft Unit assisted by metro police responded and conducted an inspection at the said property.
The officers found the cable on the property.
‘‘Two suspects were arrested for the possession of stolen property. They will be charged in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act once the origin of the cables can be verified as being a part of essential infrastructure,” Dyason added.
On the same day, another five suspects were seen stealing cable in the Kreefgat area when officers closed in on them.
“Unfortunately, all five managed to escape but left behind about 300 metres of cable.
“In Kalksteenfontein the officers arrested one suspect who was found in possession of 20m of cable.”
Yesterday, both units were on crime prevention patrols at Netreg station when they observed a group of males cutting cables close to the Kreefgat side of the railway line.
Suddenly one of their lookouts warned them of law enforcement’s presence by blowing a whistle, Dyason said, and the suspects then ran into
Kreefgat and escaped.
“The officers walked next to the cut cable and saw its length was longer than the platform. They measured the cable and it was just over 3km in total. A heavy-duty truck was called to remove the cable,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prasa has put up a reward of R100 000 for information that will secure the conviction of the four suspects suspected of setting alight two trains at Cape Town Station in the early hours of Friday, November 28.
In all four complete train-sets, 18 carriages in total, were destroyed.
“They measured the cable and it was just over 3km in total Wayne Dyason Law Enforcement Inspector
Anyone with information is requested to contact investigating officer Sgt Williams on (078) 037 5969. All information will be treated in confidence and full anonymity is guaranteed.