| Six arrested and seven stolen vehicles recovered by police | |
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| Date Published: | 2017/02/17 |
| Description Details: | |
Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal Media Centre The Ladysmith Vehicle Identification Section are investigating cases of theft of motor vehicle involving six men who were arrested across the province on 15 February 2017. During a police operation held jointly by members from Ladysmith VIS, Ladysmith K9 unit, Ladysmith Crime Intelligence, the Uthukela Cluster Task team and Pietermaritzburg Tactical Response Team unit, three suspects aged between 30 and 40 were arrested after six stolen vehicles were recovered in the Hammarsdale area. Their arrests stem from a police operation that was set in motion after reports were received of theft of motor vehicles taking place at the San Marco Centre in Ladysmith. The Ladysmith Vehicle Identification Section roped in assistance from Ladysmith Crime Intelligence to set up police observation activities in the area. Yesterday, 16 February 2017, two suspicious men were spotted at the centre. They were kept under surveillance and were later brought in for questioning. It was established that the two had stolen a Nissan bakkie from the centre on Monday, 13 February 2017, and that the vehicle was in the Hammersdale area. A small response team was quickly formed, which included officers from the various units, and police travelled to Mpumalanga area where they recovered the stolen vehicle, a motorcycle as well as another three vehicles (a VW Polo, a Toyota Run X, and a Mazda Bakkie.) The owner of the property, aged 40, where the vehicles were found was arrested for being in possession of the stolen vehicles. All the recovered vehicles have been seized for further investigation. Thus far two of them have been linked to thefts that took place earlier this month in the Durban area. In a separate incident another two arrests were made by members of Ekuvukeni SAPS. On 15 February 2017 the police officers were working in the Uitval area when they spotted a Ford parked in the middle of the road. As officers moved in for a closer inspection of the vehicle, the two occupants jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Police gave chase and the two were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. The suspects are aged 23 and 24. Police officers traced the owner of the vehicle to a house in the Uitval area and upon waking the owner they discovered that the owner had not yet been aware that his vehicle had been stolen. A sixth suspect, aged 18, was arrested in Mooiriver by traffic officers and Mooiriver police after the vehicle was pulled over. It was subsequently found that the vehicle had been stolen at Amakhasi in Ekuvukeni on 15 February 2017. The investigation into these cases continues and the suspects are expected to appear in various courts later this week.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa applauded the members recovering the stolen vehicles and for arresting the suspects. “We are pleased with the work displayed by the members and we will continue to work hard to make sure every criminal is brought into books,” he said.
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