Metals Theft Unit seizes stolen railway copper bars worth R70 000
RAILWAY infrastructure valued at about R70 000 was recovered at the weekend when Law Enforcement officers attached to the Law Enforcement Metals Theft Unit conducted a joint operation.
The operation was conducted with Elsiesriver SAPS on Saturday at about 11.45am to combat the transportation and sale of stolen infrastructure belonging to different parastatals such as Eskom, CCT, Transnet, said City’s Law Enforcement inspector, Wayne Dyason.
“While standing stationary on 11th Street Elsies River they observed a blue sedan which appeared heavily loaded and could barely handle the load. Upon stopping and inspecting the vehicle the officers discovered 18 cut up pieces of electrical buzz bars of about 1.8 metres each in length.
“Prasa officials positively identified the property as belonging to them. The copper bars are regarded as essential infrastructure and is utilised to distribute electricity to train sets and signalling equipment.
“The estimated value recovered is close to R70 000, and this excludes the cost for Prasa to replace the damaged infrastructure. The suspects were arrested in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act and secondly for the possession of stolen property,” said Dyason.
The vehicle used in the commission of the offence was impounded.
Meanwhile, on Saturday at about 1.38am, Law Enforcement auxiliary officers spotted a vehicle reported hijacked on November 25 on the N2 passing under the Main Road bridge in Observatory. The officers immediately called for backup and SAPS K9 officers responded.
“The officers followed the vehicle while waiting for the back up, but they were spotted by the suspects and a high speed chase ensued into Bonteheuwel where LEAP officers blocked them. The vehicle changed direction and headed towards Borchards Quarry road where it clipped another vehicle and came to a stop.
“Suspects jumped from the vehicle and during this time shots were fired at officers,” said Dyason.