Port Elizabeth police and municipal officials have arrested three suspects for the theft of steel rods from electricity pylons in the Metro.
Colonel Priscilla Naidu says three suspects between the ages of 29 and 34 were arrested on Tuesday by PE K9 unit members and the Metro's safety and security officers in the bushes in the Bethelsdorp area.
It is alleged that the alarm at an electrical pylon in Standford Road in the Aspen Heights area was triggered. This pylon is erected in a very "bushy" area and access was difficult.
The SAPS Air Wing was roped in to assist and Sergeant Adriaan Oosthuizen and his dog 'Max' spotted the suspects from the police helicopter. As the helicopter landed, the suspects dropped the metal angle irons and surrendered to police.
Nine metal angle irons were removed from the structure.
A hacksaw was confiscated.
The suspects will appear in court soon where they will be charged under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act (tampering and damaging to essential infrastructure).
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.
