ALBERTON – A SOG member on a routine patrol noticed a suspicious black man tampering with an electrical box on the corner of Camborne Road and Fore Street at 11:50 on September 30.
The Security officer was traveling down Fore Street when he noticed the suspect, and made a U-turn to see what he was up to. The suspicious man was not wearing a uniform and this was the reason that the SOG member decided to inspect. As he stopped, the suspect fled down Fore Street. The member of SOG chased after him, but he got away.
After inspection of the goods left in a bag in Camborne Road it was evident that the suspect was stealing fuses out of the electrical boxes.
Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality workers passing the scene noticed the commotion and stopped to see what was happening. They explained that the fuses have a chemical powder inside. This powder is used as a drug, or is part of a drug.
A description of the suspect was reported and the black male was apprehended in a parking lot in Clinton Road by another SOG patrol unit.
According to the EMM workers, this is an example of what happens on a daily basis, and why we are experiencing so many power outages.
They further explain that locks and handles are broken and this is how suspects obtain access to the electrical boxes. The EMM has gone as far as welding electrical boxes shut in certain areas of Alberton to ensure that these fuses are not stolen.
The suspect had 18 fuses in his bag; nine of which were already broken. A fuse costs approximately R80.
The suspect was taken to Alberton SAPS.
