A 20-year-old cable thief suspect was arrested in Port Elizabeth late on Sunday when patrolling K9 unit members spotted him digging up cables on the M4 freeway (direction towards Central).
Colonel Priscilla Naidu says around 6pm, PE K9 members noticed the suspect and stopped.
As they crossed the fence, the suspect started running. After several calls to stop, police dog Jack was released.
The suspect kicked Jack in the face and managed to break free and run towards the rocks near the ocean.
Assistance from other K9 unit members arrived and an extensive search was conducted for the man who was eventually found hiding underneath the rocks in the water.
He was arrested and detained on charges of tampering, damage and theft of essential infrastructure under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
The estimated damages of the dug up cables is R20 000.
Colonel Naidu says the suspect will be appearing in court soon.
