A Mitchells Plain man is behind bars and his bakkie impounded after he was caught trying to sell stolen electricity cables.
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says the 41-year-old man was arrested at a scrapyard in Epping on Monday morning after a tip-off.
“At about 9am, the Metal Theft Unit received an anonymous tip-off of a white bakkie with possible stolen cable at a scrap metal dealer in Epping,” he says.
“On arrival the officers observed a bakkie matching the description given in the tip-off.
“The driver was busy selling cable to the dealer.”
LOOT: The City's cables. Photo: Supplied
He says on inspection officers found that it was copper cable, which belongs to the City of Cape Town, and is used in the distribution of electricity to consumers.
“The suspect, a 41-year-old male from Mitchells Plain, was arrested for possession of presumed stolen goods and was taken to Elsies River Police Station. At the station it was discovered the suspect was previously arrested for a similar offence.”
“The 17mm overhead copper cable with an estimated weight of 333kg and a value of about R70 000 was booked in at the police station.
“The Toyota Hilux bakkie which was used in the commission of the crime was also impounded.
“It has not yet been established where he got the cables from.
“His bakkie will stay in the impound for the duration of his trial. If he is found innocent, it will be returned.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut confirms the arrest and says the man will appear in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.