AN intelligence-driven operation comprising of South African Police Services, Bidvest Coin Security, Ekurhuleni Tactical Task Team and local security companies led to the arrest of five suspects and recovery of tower back-up batteries with an estimated value of R900 000 in Petunia Street, Rosettenville on May 16.
The team has been following the suspects that are stealing back-up batteries from Vodacom, MTN and Telkom towers.
It is alleged that the suspects broke into a tower in Midrand on Thursday and stole four batteries.
The suspects were traced and located in a house in Rossetenville. Upon searching the premises police found 65 more batteries bringing the combined value to R900 000. It is believed that these other batteries were possibly stolen from other towers around Gauteng.
Five suspects, aged between 20 and 43, were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, theft and tampering with essential infrastructure. They will be appearing at Booysens Magistrate’s Court on May 20.
Police regard this arrest as a breakthrough given the recent increase in the number of network towers being broken into and back-up batteries being stolen in Gauteng.
Moffat View SAPS communications officer Captain Jeff Phora said preliminary police investigation has revealed that the batteries are valued at an estimated R900 000.
“We are delighted to finally both arrest and detain these suspects because we believe they are a syndicate that we’ve been on their heels for some time,” said Moffat View head of police Col Lesley Lloyd.
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