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van Dalen.

The syndicate operates a business on the same lines as the taxi =
industry. They rent out horse drawn carts and delivery vans which scout =
around the various areas to buy scrap metal off the streets.

During the investigation into the Athlone theft, the Copperheads made a =
fifth breakthrough in which they recovered a hijacked truck loaded with =
stainless steel.

"We followed up on the information and arrested two people. The truck =
and contents were returned to the rightful owner.

"These successes are a major blow to copper theft and contribute to =
reduced crime statistics in the entire Cape Town. It is now up to the =
courts to make examples of these hardened criminals who went as far as =
stealing a sculpture which depicts part of South African history. We =
will not hesitate to act against these acts of thuggery," he says.

Cllr Van Dalen expressed his gratitude towards the Athlone Police =
station and the public for all the information provided to the team and =
urged residents to report information regarding any suspicious activity =
to the City=E2=80=99s toll free Cable Theft Hot Line, =
0800=E2=80=89222=E2=80=89771 or directly to him on =
083=E2=80=89655=E2=80=892203.