Cape Town petrol bandit's luck runs out in Plumstead sting
The alleged petrol thief accused of filling his tank at various fuel stations and fleeing before paying had his trip cut short after he attempted another of his stunts in Plumstead on Monday, when he drove right into a trap and was arrested.
Police were hot on the heels of the suspect in the black Ford Fiesta that allegedly filled his tank with R800's worth of petrol on Sunday in Gatesville, Athlone, before leaving without paying.
With the same modus operandi, the driver also allegedly struck in Goodwood at Engen Simon’s Auto Centre last week, where he filled his vehicle with R500 petrol and left without paying.
The suspect is believed to be linked to multiple cases in Goodwood, Lansdowne, Woodstock, and Athlone for filling up and taking off with no payment.
On Tuesday, in a joint operation between Diep River police and Secu Watch Protection, the alleged petrol thief was apprehended at around at 10.04pm.
But that's not all, as he allegedly also had tik and mandrax in his vehicle.
A member of the Secu Watch Protection said that the driver frequented the area and using ANPR technology, the vehicle was quickly picked up, tracked, and quietly monitored.
The member explained: “He triggered one of our ANPR cameras, which is how we found out he is a regular in the area. We followed up with the petrol stations to get case numbers for him, as we knew who he was due to him being a regular in the area. When he triggered those cameras, we already had SAPS standing by, waiting for his arrival. When we caught him, he begged and pleaded that we let him go and that he won’t do it again, but we found drugs in his vehicle.”
Police spokesperson, Thembakazi Mpendukana, confirmed that a 36-year-old male suspect was arrested by Diep Rivier police for possession of drugs, and the case is now before the court as the suspect already made his first court appearance.