LIMPOPO – Two of the six men who robbed a fuel depot in Louis Trichardt of diesel worth R5.5m have been arrested.
On May 7, at around 19:00, the group pretended to buy diesel from the depot. When the manager of the depot opened the gate of the premises, the armed occupants took the remote control as well as R6 000 and his cellphone.
“The other four employees were locked separately in other rooms and tied up with cable ties. They too were robbed of their cellphones. Meanwhile, a 43-year-old truck driver at the premises was found shot and taken to hospital in a critical condition,” police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo explained in a statement.
The men reportedly filled six fuel tankers with diesel worth R5.5m before they fled the scene.
A task team that comprises detectives from provincial, district and station levels, was established to track the group down.
Read more: Limpopo police launch manhunt for group that stole R5.5m worth of diesel
Their efforts came to fruition as they arrested a 43-year-old man at a diesel depot in Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng. “The members pounced on the depot in the early hours of today (May 13). Upon their arrival, the suspects sped off in a bakkie and a high-speed chase ensued,” Mojapelo explained and added a shootout between police and the men occurred.
He said the man was arrested following the shootout and that the other men fled on foot.
A 9mm pistol with ammunition, the getaway vehicle and three of the six fuel tankers, still filled with diesel suspected to have been stolen from the depot in Louis Trichardt, were recovered.
“A fourth truck was intercepted at the Lebombo border to Mozambique at about 08:30. A 38-year-old suspect was arrested,” Mojapelo added.
He said police have opened cases of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving, the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen properties.
The suspects will appear before different magistrate’s courts soon.
Meanwhile, police have requested the owner of the depot in Vanderbijlpark to avail himself at his nearest police station. “We believe William Macholo can assist in the investigations,” he added.
Mojapelo confirmed to Review that the search for the remaining four men and two tankers continues. “Anyone with information that can assist is requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or call the toll-free Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, contact your nearest police station.”
