Police in the Western Cape have made significant arrests in two separate incidents involving the possession of stolen rail infrastructure and firearms.
On Friday, February 2, seven suspects, including six foreign nationals, were apprehended for their involvement in the possession of railway Pandrol rail-fastening springs valued at R175,000.
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The arrests were made by members of the Melkbosstrand SAPS, with assistance from crime prevention members from a neighbouring station.
Acting on information about damage to essential infrastructure, the police followed up on leads which led them to a location on the Old Mamre and Darling Road. There, they discovered a white Ford Ranger parked next to the road, and upon further inspection, recovered the stolen rail infrastructure.
The suspects are now facing charges relating to the possession of presumed stolen property and damage to essential infrastructure. They are expected to appear in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court soon to face these charges.
In an unrelated incident, Ocean View police conducted high-density patrols on Saturday, February 3, and received information about firearms.
Acting on this information, they arrived at an address in Mbekweni Street in Masiphumele and spotted a man who matched the provided description.
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The man attempted to flee into a house carrying a bag on his back, but the police member pursued and apprehended him. During the arrest, two firearms with ammunition and 11 mobile cellular phones were confiscated.
The 39-year-old suspect has been charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of presumed stolen property.
