Mercedes-Benz SAPS

The vehicle was stolen from Pinetown in KZN in 2002, and resurfaced in Free State this week – Photo: SAPS

SAPS find stolen Mercedes-Benz – 20 YEARS after it went missing!

The wheels of justice may have turned slowly on this case, but SAPS have managed to recover a Mercedes-Benz reported stolen in 2002.

Mercedes-Benz SAPS

The vehicle was stolen from Pinetown in KZN in 2002, and resurfaced in Free State this week – Photo: SAPS

Well, better late than never, we suppose: SAPS officials in Free State confirmed on Thursday that they had discovered a Mercedes-Benz – which was reported missing way back in 2002! The vehicle was pulled aside, after cops were alerted by the driver’s ‘suspicious behaviour’.

Mercedes-Benz found, after two decades of waiting

The motor had initially gone missing from Pinetown, KZN some 20 years earlier. Heaven knows what sort of journey it has been on since then, but this fortuitous slice of luck means the owner can finally reunite with his beloved Mercedes-Benz, after SAPS seized the vehicle on the spot.

The man behind the wheel, aged 31, was arrested at the scene. However, given he’d be just 11 at the time of the car’s disappearance, it’s highly unlikely this suspect is the actual perpetrator. Nonetheless, there are some fairly serious consequences for the who handle stolen goods.

SAPS take car owner to court

Free State SAPS confirmed that the suspect appeared appeared in court on Friday afternoon. facing a charge of ‘possession of suspected stolen property’. The police have since issued a statement on the matter.

“The Rapid Rail Police Unit deployed at Harrismith, arrested a 31-year-old suspect for being in possession of suspected stolen vehicle which was reported stolen in Pinetown in 2002. The police members were patrolling N3 near Balmoral, when they noticed a suspicious grey Mercedez-Benz sedan and stopped it.”

“They circulated the vehicle and found that it was reported stolen in Pinetown since 2002. The suspect was arrested and vehicle seized. The suspect will be expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate court on Friday, 22 April 2022 for possession of suspected stolen property.”

Free State SAPS

SAPS alerted the public to these developments late on Thursday evening.