Police in Kroonstad have arrested two suspected truck wheel thieves after finding them in possession of 12 truck wheels in the early hours of Saturday morning, 11 February 2023.
Police spokesperson, Constable Maselela Langa, said that members of the Kroonstad Highway Patrol arrested the two suspects after finding them in possession of suspected stolen property.
“It is alleged that the members were busy on the N1, about ten kilometers outside Kroonstad busy with stop and search duties.”
“They came across a Toyota Quantum with tinted windows. The members stopped the quantum and upon search they discovered that the vehicle was loaded with 12 complete truck wheels,” said Langa.
Read also: 3 truck wheel thieves caught red-handed stripping truck on N7 near Garies
Upon request for proof of purchase, the two suspects failed to provide any documentation.
The twelve truck wheels estimated to the value of R100 000.00 were recovered and confiscated.
“The duo aged between 40 to 45 have been arrested. They will be charged with possession of suspected stolen property and are expected to appear before Kroonstad Magistrate Court soon,” Langa added.
Truck wheel theft is a major concern on South African highways. On Friday, one truck driver woke up to find his 8 wheels have been stolen while he was asleep at a truck stop in Bloemfontein.
It’s not known if the recovered wheels are the same ones stolen from the truck hours before.
Bloemfontein Ultra City pit stop truck and tyres 3 months old Mitchelin all diff tyres gone 😢 pic.twitter.com/jY1OxP0GB5
— SA Trucker (@rsa_trucker) February 10, 2023
Truckers are advised to only park at safe truck stops which has guards to avoid loss of property and or lives.
