Two arrested for cable theft while on act

By Lelethu Mquqo and Ofentse Mokae
25 June 2010

Two cable thieves were caught red-handed and arrested in the Atlantis Industrial Area by the Metro Police’s Metal Theft Unit also known as the Copperheads yesterday.

The two men from Atlantis, aged 38 and 52 were unaware of the presence of the police and the Copperheads in the premises as they were busy trying to steal the cables.

According the law enforcement officials the men had already dug a hole and damaged an 11kV cable that provides power to the area.

The officers confronted them as they waited for other men to come and finish off the job that the suspects had started.

Spokesperson for Specialised Law Enforcement Services, Neil Arendse says since the crime occurred in the early hours of the morning, the incident caused minimal disruption to the area but damages amounted to R50 000.

“The perpetrators were detained at the Atlantis Police Station on charges of attempted theft and malicious damage to property and are to still to appear in court,” Arendse said.

He says the investigation continues and the police are trying to find other incidents that the group can be linked to.

Members of the public with information about community members involved in this type of crime are encouraged to inform the Copperheads on the toll free hotline 0800 225 669.