Alleged 28s gang boss, Ralph Stanfield, has been released on R50 000 bail after his appearance in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate's Court on Monday.
According to a source close to the investigation, Stanfield was busted after cops found a brand-new Ford Ranger bakkie, which had been reported stolen, at his petrol station in Bishop Lavis and he was called to the scene.
But when he arrived and identified himself as the garage owner, cops arrested him and 16 other men for the possession of stolen goods.
This after several other vehicles reported as stolen were found on the premises.
“Cops are still determining all the vehicles that are there and what was stolen. None of them have licence plates or discs so they are being traced via the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), the source said.
SCENE: Cops at the Bishop Lavis petrol station
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirmed the arrest and said 17 suspects, aged between 25 and 53 years old, were to appear in Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court.
According to the source the other men were taken to Bishop Lavis SAPS where they were released on Sunday, but Stanfield was held at an undisclosed police station.
The charges against Stanfield’s co-accused were dropped and Stanfield stood alone in the dock where he was released on R50 000 bail and the case postponed to 21 January 2019.
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