FIVE suspects were apprehended after they were caught red-handed stealing valuable crops and produce from a farm in the Schaapkraal farming area.
Sandy Schuter, chairperson for the Strandfontein Community Police Forum, said the suspects were taken into custtody on Tuesday 11 August, transferring the stolen goods from Punt Road to a vehicle parked at the intersection of St. Helena Road in Wavecrest, Strandfontein.
The suspects, along with the recovered items and the getaway vehicle, were transported to the Strandfontein SAPS Police Station.
Schuter said: “These guys go and steal at the neighbouring farms in the Schaapkraal area; they then park their stolen goods at the boundary wall. When the vehicle arrives, which is a Kia SUV, these guys transfer the stolen items into the trailer and into the back of the Kia SUV.”
Shuter said that they have been hot on the heels of the suspects since 5 July 2026. Information shared by community networks with the Strandfontein CPF said the stolen items were transported across the boundary from Schaapkraal, with the Kia SUV waiting on standby in Strandfontein.
She explained: “I received a tip-off from a resident who said that vehicle is parked there and I immediately actioned it. Within minutes, the Ward 43 Neighbourhood Safety Officers were there and they caught the guys red-handed transferring the stolen items from behind the wall to the vehicle.
“I needed to get hold of the farmer whose crops were stolen. I reached out to the ward councillor and community leaders in Schaapkraal for the details and they were already on their way to Strandfontein SAPS.”
Schuter said she established contact with the relevant farming area, who proceeded to Strandfontein SAPS to lay formal criminal charges.
A formal docket has been opened at Strandfontein and will be transferred to the Philippi Policing Precinct for further investigation.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that a case was opened and five suspects have been arrested.
Van Wyk reported: “This office can confirm that five adult males were arrested by Metro police for possession of stolen property earlier [Tuesday] in Strandfontein.”
