Johannesburg – Johannesburg Central cluster crime combating unit police officers have recovered two stolen cars in Freedom Park, only to discover the suspected thief is already in custody, Gauteng police said on Saturday.

Police were carrying out routine crime prevention duties when they tested two cars, Captain Xoli Mbele said.

"A white Toyota Tazz came out positive that it was reported stolen at Orange Farm in May 2017. Police also recovered a maroon Honda without registration and licensed disc. When they compared it [they] found out that the engine has been tampered with."

The woman teacher living on the property where the cars were recovered told police the cars belonged to her 36-year-old brother who was arrested in May by Booysens police for being in possession of car breaking implements. The man was still in custody.

The police investigation was under way and the suspect would now also be charged with being in possession of stolen motor vehicles, Mbele said.