EASTERN CAPE – A 46-year-old suspect is set to appear in the Cofimvaba Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 4 August 2021 for allegations of Telkom battery theft worth R900 000-00 after being arrested by the Queenstown Crime Intelligence (CIG) and K9 Unit, Cofimvaba police as well as Bridge Camp police. The Local Crime Record Centre (LCRC) and Queenstown Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks arrived at the crime scene for processing and further investigation.

It is alleged that on 2 August 2021, the members of CIG were alerted about the suspicious-looking white Isuzu bakkie which was driving towards Cofimvaba on the Banana Bridge. As soon as the driver realised that he was being followed, he accelerated and sped off. CIG immediately called for a backup. During the chase, the driver jumped off the bakkie and ran into the Maya locality in Cofimvaba. He was pursued and apprehended. At the back of the bakkie, 30 batteries with an estimated value of R900 000-00 were recovered. It was further established that the batteries were stolen from the Telkom towers in Heaven Hills Amalinda and Voorpos in East London.

The suspect is a fugitive who escaped from lawful custody in Queenstown in 2016 and is also linked to a hijacking of a truck carrying sheep wool in Fort Beaufort. The suspect is under police custody until first court appearance.

Source: South African Police Service