Suspected stolen copper with an estimated street value of R500 000 has been recovered following a joint raid by City of Johannesburg (CoJ) law enforcement agencies at a scrapyard in Roodepoort on Tuesday, 30 July.
According to information provided by CoJ’s Chantelle Fourie-Shawe, the Group Forensic and Investigation Service Department (GFIS) received a tip-off from an anonymous caller that there was a truck loading suspected stolen copper at the scrapyard.
“A joint operation between the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), GFIS and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was conducted. The team raided the scrapyard and found a truck loading suspected stolen copper with an estimated street value of R500 000. The driver was arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper cable,” she explained.
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She added that seven bags full of copper were also found on the premises. She said the owner of the facility offered the officials a bribe of R50 000 for their freedom. The bribe was refused, and the scrapyard owner, the driver of the truck and a third individual were arrested for attempting to bribe the officers.
She said the suspects have been detained at Roodepoort Police Station and will appear before the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court to make their bail applications.
