A cable thief is behind bars after he was caught red-handed by an eagle-eyed officer.
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says the 32-year-old man from Khayelitsha was caught with a huge bundle of electrical cables belonging to Prasa.
He says shortly after 6am on Tuesday, an officer of the Metal Theft Unit, was travelling along the R300 near the N2 highway turn-off when he saw the man rolling up the cables.
“The officer, immediately suspicious, called for backup. The officers then approached the male suspect who was walking towards Mitchells Plain, but he dropped the cable and fled. Officers gave chase and he was soon caught,” says Dyason.
“The officers questioned the 32-year-old suspect from Khayelitsha and he told them he stole the cable alongside the railway track between Stock Road and Mandalay stations.”
GROOT GAT: Suspect dug 300m trench. Photo: Supplied
Dyason explains officers went to the site and found a 300 metre long trench where the cable was removed.
“Prasa officials positively identified the 16 metre length of signalling cable as their property,” he says.
“This cable allows Prasa staff to track the movement of trains on the line and its removal would make this task impossible.
“This could cause major incidents on the line. The suspect was arrested and charged at Philippi East Police Station for possession of stolen property and theft.”
HINDRANCE: Theft is a safety hazard. Photo: Supplied
Last Friday, the unit nabbed three men with stolen Metrorail equipment worth R14 000.
The two men from Beacon Valley, aged 36 and 38, along with their driver were stopped in their tracks while on their way to a scrapyard in Philippi to sell their loot.
The trio were travelling in a bakkie when they were stopped by officers in Portland Road, Philippi.
Among general scrap items, officers found 45 rail chairs which are used to prevent trains from derailing and to stabilise the railway tracks.