Free State police have warned truck drivers not to stop and rest at unsecured truck-stops after one driver was pursued by thieves who stole six tyres from his vehicle near Trompsburg on Tuesday morning.
The suspects, who could be operating as a syndicate, allegedly woke the driver who was sleeping in the truck at about 05:00, as they tried to strip the vehicle of its tyres.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the driver peeped through the window to check and saw three unknown males standing next to his truck fiddling with the tyres.
“He switched on the truck attempting to notify other truckers and drove off,” said Kareli in a statement.
“But the truck felt like it was dragging something as the suspects had already cut the trailer’s brakes attempting to stop the truck from moving,” he added.
The driver was able to move the vehicle but along the way, the driver saw a white Toyota Quantum with a trailer following him.
The vehicle then forced him off the road and he eventually stopped.
“The driver managed to escape by jumping off and ran to the nearest farm. Springfontein police were called and on arrival at the scene . . . six tyres had been stolen,” he said.
One suspect aged between 21 and 25 was arrested after he was found injured at the scene.
It’s not clear how he got injured and police have not given details on the severity of the suspect’s injuries.
He is in hospital under police guard and a case of theft is under investigation.
Springfontein police have pleaded with truck drivers to avoid stopping at unsecure spots at night.
“We urge truckers to stop at a recognised truck-stops where there is security at night,” warned the police. – Staff Reporter