WARRENTON- Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of cellphone tower batteries worth over R150,000 in Kimberley, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape said on Sunday.

On March 12, the Francis Baard policing cluster task team, with the assistance of crime intelligence and Warrenton detectives, followed up on information which led them to the two suspects, Lt-Col Dimakatso Mooi said in a statement.

The duo allegedly stole cellphone tower batteries worth R156,000 from Galeshewe and Kimberley. The arrested suspects were men aged 32 and 41.

"Community members are urged to refrain from stealing or tampering with cable infrastructure, and scrap metal dealers are also urged not to buy stolen metals; rather report those who are suspected to be selling stolen metals."

The two arrested men were expected to appear in the Warrenton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Mooi said.