Staff Reporter
At least 10 people are behind bars after allegedly stealing diesel from a truck along the N5 highway near Kestell today.
The suspects were cornered after about five police units responded to a tip-off about the seemingly well-coordinated criminal operation.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said teams from Park Road, Selosesha and Phuthaditjhaba Tactical Response as well as Welkom and Bethlehem K9 and Anti-Gang units were deployed to look out for a black Audi sedan that had been linked to the crime.
“The . . . vehicle was spotted on the N5 and approached,” said Makhele in a statement.
“The vehicle with two occupants was found with diesel containers and hose pipe used to drain diesel.
“The two were questioned and led the police to Intabazwe informal settlement near the N3 where an additional four suspects were arrested.”
The police, said Makhele, searched the place and found a white Toyota bakkie also implicated in the transportation of diesel.
They found three cellphone tower batteries, three solar panels, three truck wheels and four 25-litre containers full of diesel and a generator.
All the discovered items confiscated.
The suspects then led the police to four other accomplices in the Kestell area, bringing the total number of those arrested to 10.
“Some of the arrested suspects could possibly be linked to two alleged serious crimes which took place over the weekend in Harrismith,” said Makhele.
All 10 suspects will be expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrates Court soon facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property and armed robbery.