Central SA
Man arrested for suspected stolen diesel catalytic converters─── 10:36 Thu, 14 Jul 2022
A 44-year-old man was arrested for the possession of diesel catalytic converters in Bloemfontein on Wednesday. The suspected stolen goods are worth an estimated R80 million.
The Free State Provincial Organised Crime Unit, working together with the Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team and Local Criminal Record Centre, was informed of these goods. The suspected stolen goods were then found at a warehouse in East End with the suspect and warehouse owner, who was subsequently arrested when he failed to provide paperwork for the goods.
SAPS spokesperson, Peter Kareli, says 1680 boxes were retrieved, which matched the description of property that was reported stolen after a truck hijacking in May 2022.
“The truck travelled from the Eastern Cape towards Gauteng, and somewhere near Venterstad the driver felt the need to relieve himself and he stopped the truck. So, he alleged while parked there, a vehicle stopped and those guys forced him into their vehicle. One of the people allegedly drove the truck from where he stopped it, and they drove straight to Bloemfontein. So in Bloemfontein, they went to that facility in East End, where they offloaded everything from the truck and gave back the truck to the driver.”
The suspect is reportedly in custody and is expected to appear in court soon.
