Members of the EMPD’s Anti-Cable Theft Unit, who were patrolling in Germiston, on Wednesday morning, arrested two men after they were found in possession of a freshly dug up copper cable and implements used for digging up and cutting cables.
Their two accomplices managed to evade arrest.
The arrests took place at 1.30am.
The four men were seen digging a trench along the M2 highway, between Refinery Road and the footbridge.
With back-up from Combined Private Investigation (CPI) personnel, the EMPD officers approached the four men.
Two were apprehended and the other two managed to escape.
Two 3m and 7m copper cables, a hacksaw, a pick and a spade were confiscated from the suspects.
The estimated value of the cable is R5 000.
The men, aged 27 and 48, were charged with suspected theft of underground copper cable at the Germiston Police Station.
They are expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court soon.
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