Police in Port Elizabeth have arrested two suspects who were caught red-handed digging a trench on the N2 near the Baywest Area.
Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg says the K9-unit assisted in Wednesday’s arrest by unleashing their dog "Max" who is no stranger to catching cable thieves.
She says the Unit was observing the suspects and as the team approached the men fled.
"Officer" Max was released and first apprehended a 24-year-old suspect before nabbing his 35-year-old accomplice as he was crossing the highway.
The two men will appear in court soon where they will be charged under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act (tampering, damage or theft of essential infrastructure).
Cable theft is a serious problem in Nelson Mandela Bay and police are warning scrap metal dealers who buy these cables that they also face being arrested and charged.
Sergeant Oosthuizen and his K9 partner Max have arrested several hijackers, thieves and robbers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the past few years.
Max is also well trained in explosives detection.
A file photo from August 2019 where Max and Officer Oosthuizen arrested suspects accused of stealing copper cables.
