Three men from Motherwell will appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 17 June 2020 on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and theft.
It is alleged that during the early hours of Monday morning, 15 June 2020 at about 03:00, Anti-Gang Unit members were stationary on the Addo Road in Motherwell when they notice a blue Toyota Condor driving towards them with its lights off.
As the vehicle approached the members, the driver of the vehicle switched on the lights. The vehicle was stopped and upon searching the trailer attached to the bakkie, 10 brand new truck tyres worth R9500 each were found. The police officers were not satisfied with the driver’s explanation and the driver (35) and his two passengers, aged between 30 and 35 were detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
It is further alleged that on Monday, 15 June 2020 at about 12:00, the manager of a business in Markman was notified that a trailer with 290 truck tyres which was parked on the premises on Friday, 12 June 2020 was no longer on the premises.
A case of theft of tyres was opened at SAPS Swartkops.
The value of the tyres is estimated at R1,5 million.
At about 21:00 last night, 15 June 2020, a Detective Sergeant from SAPS Motherwell received information about a load of truck tyres at a house in Rose Lane in NU11 in Motherwell.
Immediately, the information was mobilised and a task team comprising of SAPS Motherwell Detective, Crime Prevention, Community Service Centre and PE Flying Squad members swooped in on the house.
A total of 73 tyres were recovered in a room as well as in the garage of the house. Coincidentally, the house belongs to the driver of the blue Toyota who was arrested early in the morning.
The total value of the recovered tyres is R 788 500.
Provincial Organised Crime Investigation in Port Elizabeth has since taken over the investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has hailed the arrests and recoveries a huge success. ‘Businesses are losing millions of revenue through theft and break-ins at their premises.
The South African Police Service is warning those people who are buying suspected stolen property through their ‘back doors’, that they will also be prosecuted if found to be in possession of such property.
Buying stolen property is an offence and the purchaser has more to lose when he is arrested as his stock will be seized and confiscated. I urge the community to reject any goods that may have been stolen instead report the matter to the police,’ added Lieutenant General Ntshinga. SAPS
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