Central SA
Free State police stop alleged truck tyre thieves in their tracks─── ZENANDE MPAME 10:00 Sat, 14 Sep 2024
“A case of attempted theft from a truck and attempted murder cases were opened for investigation.”
Winburg police are investigating a case of attempted theft from a truck and attempted murder after four men tried to steal truck tyres.
A suspect was arrested and police are looking for three more who fled in a white Renault Clio with GP number plates.
Police responded to a complaint of possible theft of truck tyres about 10 km from Winburg, towards Ventersburg, on Friday (13/9). “Officers saw a truck parked beside the N1 and tactically approached when they heard somebody scream for help,” said Free State police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng.
‘One suspect is under police guard in a Free State hospital’
Four unknown suspects were seen running away from the truck as they fired shots in the officers’ direction, who returned fire and injured the suspect they then apprehended. The man (26) from Thokoza in Gauteng’s East Rand is under police guard in a Free State hospital.
While inspecting the truck, officers noticed its wheel nuts were loosened, apparently by the perpetrators who wanted to remove the tyres.
Meanwhile, four suspects will appear in the Virginia Magistrate’s Court on Monday (16/9) after police possibly prevented them from robbing a shopping centre in the Goldfields town.
Cell phones were confiscated with detailed WhatsApp messages, allegedly to plan and commit a robbery. Photo supplied
“The suspects, aged 25 to 52, were arrested during Operation Vala uMgodi on Thursday (12/9). They departed from Klerksdorp to Virginia with two motor vehicles, a blue Fiat Palio, and a white Nissan Tida,” said police spokesperson Thabo Covane.
“Police approached the identified motor vehicles and a search was conducted, a 9mm Norinco pistol with a filed-off serial number and a magazine, loaded with eight (8) live rounds of ammunition, were found and seized.”
Cellular phones with WhatsApp messages – exchanged by the suspects – to plan and commit crimes, were also confiscated, he said. They’re charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition with an additional charge of conspiracy to commit a crime.
