Copper cable thieves cuffed in the act

FOUR men attempting to steal R50,000 worth of copper cables were tracked down and arrested on the Bluff on Tuesday, 4 November.

At about 1pm Metro Dog Unit members, Douglas Dalton, Warrant Officer Jean Du Plessis and canine, Costa with Durban Flying Squad’s Sergeant Bouwer Nel answered a report of a business breaking in progress in Eel Road.

The security officer on duty told them an unknown number of men were inside. He did not know if they were armed. Proceeding with caution, the officers searched the building.

Sgt Nel quickly found two men hiding in a corner of a large room. While they were being escorted outside, a noise was heard in an adjacent room. W/O Du Plessis called out for the people to show themselves but received no response.

Canine, Costa was sent in to investigate. The dog found a man hiding under rolls of copper cable and indicated to the officers that another man was in the building. W/O Du Plesses repeated his call for the man to show himself, but again got no answer. Costa was released and found the man hiding in a toilet.

All four were arrested and the two men found by Costa were taken to hospital for treatment after suffering bite wounds to the neck and upper arms.

Investigations showed the men were trying to steal R 50,000 worth of copper cables. Brighton Beach SAPS management congratulates the officers and Costa on their prompt response and the arrests. “The theft of copper cables and non-ferrous metals has become problematic and this arrest and recovery is welcomed by Brighton Beach SAPS management,” said Brighton Beach SAP communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.

The men appeared in court on Wednesday, 5 November and were remanded in police custody for seven days as the investigation continues.