Suspected tower battery thief arrested after exchanging fire with police

FREE STATE – The Tseseng police fought fire with fire and arrested one of the three suspects who attempted to steal batteries at the network tower on Saturday night.

Apparently on Saturday, 14 May 2022 at about 22:00, the police spotted a suspicious white Toyota Quantum from Ficksburg driven in the direction of Witsieshoek Lodge. They called for backup but the vehicle disappeared. They went to check at the tower next to Lodge’s Check Point and noticed three people busy cutting the cables at the tower. When police got closer to the tower, the suspects started shooting at them and they retaliated. One of the three suspects, aged58, was caught and arrested. It was established that he was wounded during exchange of fire with police. He was found in possession of breaking implements, copper and hacksaw, computer cables, three mother boards. The suspect is expected to appear before the Tseseng Magistrate court soon facing charges of attempted murder, damaging of essential onfrastructure, possession of copper.

“I want to applaud our members for their bravery. Hopefully community will also assist in being our eyes and ears to win war against crime”, said Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.

Source: South African Police Service

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