Amanzimtoti response officers were involved in a substantial truck theft syndicate bust on Monday, 20 January.
On Friday, 17 January ET Rapid Response’s tactical response team (TRT) responded to a report of a truck that was stolen in Maydon Wharf and tracked into the Toti area by the tracking company.
“Our TRT recovered the truck on the N2 by the Umgababa off-ramp, but the cargo along with the trailer was missing. On Monday morning we received information about the whereabouts of the cargo from the stolen truck,” said ET Rapid Response South Coast managing member, Tony Lokker.
With Umkomaas SAPS taking the lead, followed by ET’s TRT, Metro Police K9 unit and Amanzimtoti SAPS crime prevention unit, the teams descended on a warehouse in Isipingo, where four suspects were apprehended and the stolen cargo seized.
Further investigation led the team to Jacobs, where the trailer and container were found. “While on the scene, we received more information which led the team to Isipingo CBD, where three more suspects, as well as two vehicles used in the crime, were seized,” said Tony.
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Follow-up investigations led the teams to KwaMakutha, where the driver of the vehicle was found hiding and he was arrested. He was the key figure in the caper and a huge part of the syndicate. A total of 11 suspects were arrested, including four Chinese, three South African, three Zimbabwean and one Nigerian. Five vehicles used in the commission of crimes were seized and impounded, and goods to an estimated value of R1.5-million were recovered.
“Investigations are ongoing, with the possibility of this syndicate being involved in many other crimes. Well done to all the parties who assisted in this substantial arrest – ET tactical response team, Umkomaas SAPS, Metro Police K9 unit, Amanzimtoti SAPS crime prevention unit, Maydon Wharf detectives and SAPS Organised Crime.”
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