Concerted efforts to curb illicit activities in crime stricken areas paid off when over R5 600-00 worth of fuel and five suspected stolen bank cards were confiscated on the N2 highway at Sedgefield outside Knysna at about 01:00 on Sunday, 12 September 2021.

Vigilant members attached to the Knysna Crime Prevention Unit were alerted about possible illicit activities involving a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi, with a George registration number, at a petrol filling station at the Main Street, Knysna. The members promptly acted on the information when visited the filling station. On arrival they noticed the vehicle departed already, but proceeded with a search.

A lookout for the vehicle ensued when it was later tracked down and stopped with assistance from a Provincial Traffic official at Sedgefield. Upon searching the vehicle the members found 13 plastic 25 litre containers filled with petrol (fuel) on board. A further search led to the discovery of five fuel and oil cards of various banks stashed under a seat of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were unable to account for their possession of these items. They were subsequently arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and fraud.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are from Thembalethu in George. They allegedly used these cards to purchase fuel at the filling station. The origin of the fuel cards forms part of an ongoing police probe.

The trio, the 35-year-old driver and his two passengers, remain in custody. They will appear in court once charged.

In an unrelated matter, three women were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property on Thursday, 09 September 2021 at about 16:30. The same team acted on information about suspected illicit activities when they stopped the silver Volkswagen Polo, which was enroute to Cape Town, on the N2 highway at the turnoff to Buffalo Bay. A search of the vehicle resulted in the confiscation of 16 high-class bottles of champagne as well as a handbag, believed to be used to hid stolen items. The police arrested the occupants, all from the Cape Metropole, on a charge of suspected stolen property each.

Some of the items were later positively linked to a local bottle store.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 45, remains in custody. They are expected to make a court appearance in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Monday, 13 September 2021.

Source: South African Police Service