An off-duty member of the PE Flying Squad has arrested a suspected battery thief.
Col Priscilla Naidu says he received a call for assistance from the manager of a battery company at around 11 o'clock on Saturday night, informing him that suspects were stealing car batteries at their premises in Standford Road, Korsten.
She says Const. Ludi Retief immediately responded in his private car and spotted the suspected bakkie leaving the premises, and chased after it, while requesting for back-up from his colleagues.
Naidu says Flying Squad members and Algoa Park police responded, and as the vehicle approached the corner of Chase Drive and Uitenhage Road, the driver tried to evade the police vehicle and drove onto the pavement and collided with a robot.
A 52-year old suspect was arrested at the scene and 56 vehicle batteries, valued at R56-thousand, were recovered and handed back to the owner.
A white Nissan bakkie was also confiscated.
One suspect earlier escaped on foot when the manager tried to stop the vehicle from leaving the premises.
The arrested suspect is being detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property and will appear in court on Monday.
