Three men in a VW Citi Golf were busted.
Image: SJC Security Services
THREE suspected petrol thieves were busted in the early hours of Thursday after they allegedly filled their car's tank and sped off.
According to SJC Security Services, officers responded to a panic alarm at the Engen La Rochelle garage in Bellville, where they were told that three suspects in a blue in a VW Citi Golf had driven off after filling their tank and leaving without paying.
SJC said on its Facebook account: “At approximately 2:21am [on Thursday morning], SJC Security Services responded to a panic alarm activation at Engen La Rochelle. Upon arrival, our SJC Armed Response Officers were informed that three suspects had filled their vehicle with fuel before fleeing the forecourt without making payment.”
The alert officers then launched a coordinated search of the surrounding area for the golf, with a Northern Cape registration.
It wasn't long before they received news that the suspects were located on Durban Road.
SJC said that when the trio became aware of them, they went pedal to the metal.
Officers then gave chase and followed them through the streets.
SJC said: “Additional SJC Armed Response units were dispatched, and through effective teamwork and coordination, the vehicle was successfully intercepted near Old Oak Road.
“All three suspects were detained in connection with the fuel theft.”
According to SJC, the police were then called in to make arrests.
They added: “Bellville SAPS was contacted and requested that the suspects be transported to the police station due to resource constraints. Law Enforcement later assisted by escorting the suspects to Bellville Police Station, where the matter was handed over for further investigation.”
Police have yet to confirm the incident.
The incident follows the notorious Cape Town suspect accused of stealing petrol, who was arrested twice for the same crime.
In May, the 37-year-old suspect allegedly filled his tank with R800 petrol at Engen Meadowridge, then drove away and the same back Ford Fiesta was caught on camera pulling off the same heist at Engen Simon’s Auto Centre in Goodwood in April.
Suspects on the ground.
Image: SJC Security Services