A local cop has broken the NATIONAL record for convictions related to offences against Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) stock after he secured 18 convictions in just 15 months.

This resulted in a total of 225 years in jail for cable skelms in Heideveld.

Detective Sergeant Daryl van Noie, 42, from Manenberg Police Station, has been lauded by his colleagues and bosses who have now recommended him for a national award.

The determined detective first made headlines last year when he single-handedly took down a cable theft syndicate operating in Heideveld of which the mastermind was a woman.

The acting station commander, Colonel Sanele Zama, says Van Noie arrested 15 people, 12 of whom were found guilty and sent to Pollsmoor Prison.

Cable theft has become huge problem Picture: Gareth Smit - INLSA

He explains cops were given an instruction to clamp down on Prasa-related thefts in their precincts with a target of 200 years worth of convictions.

“Van Noie has managed to get 225 years, making us the only station in the country to achieve this. He leaves his home at all hours and sometimes even uses his own vehicle. He is so good, the Hawks sent two warrant officers to Manenberg to be trained by him. We have recommended him for a national award as the best detective in the country for his work,” says Zama.

In his most recent case, a 25-year-old man was found guilty of cable theft at the Wynberg Regional Court and sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

Last year Van Noie was awarded the first Provincial Crimefighter Award by the Department of Community Safety for securing the successful conviction of three skollies who robbed an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) worker.

With 29 cases on the roll for the rest of 2019, the detective is confident he can push his total up to 500 years.

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