Four employees tied and locked up while suspects steal fuel

Three suspects aged between 30 and 47 were caught red-handed stealing fuel during a business robbery at a certain energy depot in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga.

The incident reportedly happened on Wednesday, 21 June 2023 around 23:00.

SUSPECTS CAUGHT STEALING FUEL

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said according to an incident report, police in Piet Retief received a complaint about a business robbery in progress at a certain business premise.

The members immediately attended to the incident and upon arrival at the scene, they discovered that suspects were busy draining diesel from a depot tanker into a truck.

It is further alleged that four employees were tied up with shoelaces then locked in a guard room.

Mohlala said five suspects were spotted and reportedly started to run when they noticed police presence, in an attempt to evade arrest. However, the members gave chase and managed to arrest two of the suspects on the spot.

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MORE CHARGES COULD BE ADDED

Mohlala said police continued to pursue the suspects and they succeeded when they arrested the third suspect who was cornered whilst driving a VW Polo with Lesotho registration number plates.

“The car was spotted driving towards Ermelo and it was followed and intercepted by the members approximately 30 kilometres before Ermelo. A firearm was found in the possession of the suspect. Though it was discovered that the firearm is licensed, the police confiscated the weapon for further investigation in order to establish any linkages to crimes committed in the country,” the police spokesperson explained.

On further investigation, the astute members discovered that the vehicle identification numbers of the truck, used by suspects, were filed off. Police investigations to determine the owner of the truck is underway.

Meanwhile the three were charged for business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. More charges could possibly be added against the suspects as the investigation continues.