COPS have arrested 19 people in connection with the heist of more than 1000 boxes of chicken on Wednesday, 4 August, in Wynberg, Cape Town.
Police spokeswoman, Brigadier Novela Potelwa said 1155 boxes of chicken worth around R600 000 were hijacked but recovered later on the same day.
“After a truck with a load of frozen chicken was hijacked on Ottery Road in Wynberg on Wednesday morning, members of Operation Lockdown II with a tracking company followed information about the whereabouts of the vehicle with the cargo,” she said.
Potelwa said after receiving tip-offs, they tracked the loot and pounced on the 19 suspects who were busy loading the chicken into nine vehicles on Cochrane Avenue in the Epping area.
“The 19 suspects aged between 25 and 50 were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. A firearm with ammunition was also found on one of the suspects. It was sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was utilised in the commission of a crime. Another vehicle, a sedan, was also found on the scene,” she said.
The hijacked vehicle was found dumped in the Bellville area.
Potelwa said some additional charges may be added to the suspects as cops conduct further investigations.
“All nine vehicles have been impounded as part of the investigation. The estimated value of the stolen boxes of chicken is R600 000. As investigations into the incident continue, the possibility of the suspects facing additional charges cannot be ruled out. The owner of the truck and consignment, a businessman, has since identified the items seized,” she said.
