Port Elizabeth police dog Max apprehended two suspected cable thieves in Bethelsdorp in Port Elizabeth. Photo: SAPS
Police dog responsible for apprehending two suspected thieves
Max the police dog and his handler Sergeant Adriaan Oosthuizen chased down two suspected criminals after seeing them digging a trench in the Bethelsdorp.
Port Elizabeth police dog Max apprehended two suspected cable thieves in Bethelsdorp in Port Elizabeth. Photo: SAPS
A brave German shepherd named Max from the Port Elizabeth Police K9 Unit has helped arrest two men suspect of stealing copper wire and cabling in Bethelsdorp in the Eastern Cape the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed.
Problems with cable theft
Security officials in Nelson Mandela Bay reported problems with cable theft in the area a fortnight ago and the K9 Unit was activated to handle the complaint.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, cables worth R300 000 had been stolen from Rensburg Street alone in Bethelsdorp.
The SAPS Airwing was also called in to help and they provided a helicopter escort for Max and his handler Sergeant Adriaan Oosthuizen to survey the situation from above.
Police dog to the rescue
Naidu reveals the helicopter carrying Max and his handler came across two men digging a trench, who immediately bolted when they saw the police vehicle.
The chopper landed and offloaded the pair, who immediately apprehended one of the suspects. Max dashed off to stop the other while his Oosthuizen finishing detained the first.
They had both men in custody within minutes of spotting them and have been charged with cable theft. They have not been given a court date yet, but it is expected to be quite soon.
A good year for police dogs
It has been a good year for the brave dogs of the South African police force. In July, Savage, a police dog for the Cape Town Metro Police Unit, was awarded a service medal by the Metro Police.
Along with his handler constable Mosuli Faku, the K9 police officer has been responsible for the confiscation of nearly R160 000 worth of narcotics and cash in just the first six months of this year.
The list includes:
- 85 units of unga
- 690 mandrax tablets
- 69 units and 18.29 grams of cocaine
- 424 bankies and 202.88 grams of tik
- 104 stoppe, two bags, and 515 bankies of dagga
- cash to the value of R2630
“Officer Savage is an asset to our efforts to curb the illicit drug trade, and we felt it appropriate to award him with a service medal in recognition of his efforts,” said Metro Police Chief Wayne Le Roux at the time.
“Our specialised units perform a very critical function, in particular, our canines. Over the years, drug dealers have become increasingly creative in hiding their wares, but our dogs are up to the task.”
