Sasolbrug police nab petrol syndicate

Six months after a truck transporting fuel was hijacked in Sasolburg, police have busted a syndicate behind stealing diesel and petrol from trucks and cargo vehicles that stop at Truck stops in the province.

Police said the criminals, who have been emptying trucks of diesel, were arrested following a tip-off from the community.

Police spokesperson, Peter Kareli, told The Weekly on Monday that police arrested five suspects believed to be part of the syndicate. He said the suspects are black and white males.

“On Sunday, Sasolburg K9 Unit received information about petrol that was stolen from one of trucks that was parked near the Truck stop.  Officers followed the information and three white males aged 58, 44 and 28 and two black males aged 33 and 34 were arrested.

He said the suspects were found in possession of the stolen fuel and could not explain where they got it from.

“Petrol to the value of between R10 000 and R40 000 in cash were seized from the suspects.  It is alleged that the suspects target trucks that park at the truck stop after filling up petrol at the Sasol plant.  The stolen petrol will then be sold to different people.  More arrests are imminent.”

A case of dealing in petrol and being in possession of stolen property has been opened at Sasolburg SAPS.  The suspects appeared at the Sasolburg Magistrate Court on Tuesday where they were released on bail.

Kareli said there were dozens of trucks which were emptied in the past few months:

“We urge everyone who has been  victim of the theft to come forward so that we can build a strong case against the suspect.”