Port Shepstone

Police chased the suspects on the N2 freeway and apprehended the men near the Port Shepstone toll plaza. Four men were found inside the vehicle and were immediately arrested. Photo: SAPS

Port Shepstone cops catch suspected thieves after high-speed chase

Port Shepstone SAPS members seized eight bank cards, cash and cellphones that were found in the men’s possession.

Port Shepstone

Police chased the suspects on the N2 freeway and apprehended the men near the Port Shepstone toll plaza. Four men were found inside the vehicle and were immediately arrested. Photo: SAPS

South African Police Service members in Port Shepstone apprehended suspected card scammers after a brief chase on the N2 Freeway.

Police were searching for suspects after reports of card scamming in the Umzinto CBD on 1 May.

Four suspected thieves caught by Port Shepstone SAPS

Acting on information police apprehended the suspects near the Port Shepstone toll plaza. A search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed cell phones, eight bank cards and cash. The four occupants of the vehicle were unable to give police a reasonable account for the items, some of which matched the description of items stolen from a victim in Umzinto.

“The alertness of police officers in the Ugu Cluster led to the arrest of four suspects aged between 24 and 28,” said SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker.

“Police officers from the Ugu Cluster, Port Shepstone SAPS, Public Order Police and other law enforcement agencies responded following a report of card scamming in the Umzinto CBD yesterday.

“Police chased the suspects on the N2 freeway and apprehended the men near the Port Shepstone toll plaza. Four men were found inside the vehicle and were immediately arrested.

“[SAPS members] seized eight bank cards, cash and cellphones that were found in the men’s possession. The suspects could not account for the items that were found in their possession. The vehicle that they were travelling in was also seized for further investigation.”

One of the men was identified by one the group’s victims and was found in possession of the items reported stolen.

“One of the suspects as well as some of the stolen items were positively identified by a victim of theft in Umzinto.”

An SAPS spokesperson said the suspects will be charged for theft and possession of stolen property. 

According to a police statement the four men will appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrates Court on Monday 4 May 2020.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula commended the Port Shepstone police officers for swiftly arresting the suspects.

South Africa’s trusted tip-off service since 1992, the crime stop line offers the public the opportunity to anonymously inform the police of any criminal activity. For urgent emergencies requiring police attention call 10111. To provide police with information anonymously call 08600 10111.

“If you have information that can assist in exposing people involved in illegal activities, please contact us anonymously when you know: Who did what to whom, when, where, why and how.”

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