Police bust suspects and foil truck hijacking on Modderfontein Road
The suspects were intercepted immediately after they hijacked a truck carrying solar batteries to the estimated value of R5m.
Following a swift and intelligence-driven response from law enforcement agencies, five suspects were arrested after a truck was hijacked on the R25 Modderfontein Road on April 23.
According to provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo Police Counter Intelligence Head Office received information about the suspects who were reportedly planning to hijack a truck in Ekurhuleni.
Police believe the suspects are involved in several truck hijackings around Gauteng.
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The team of law enforcement officers included SAPS, Tactical Response Team, Anti-Gang Unit, DPCI Gauteng Tracking Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect, operationalised the information and kept close observation of the suspects.
“The suspects were intercepted immediately after they hijacked a truck carrying solar batteries to the estimated value of R5m and kidnapped the truck driver.
“All five suspects were arrested and charged with truck hijacking, kidnapping, possession of suspected stolen property and impersonating police officers,” said Masondo.
He said the team rescued the truck driver while the two cars that were used by the suspects, a Hyundai Accentand a Hyundai iX35, were seized as they were used in the commission of crime.
According to Masondo, two of the suspects were found wearing EMPD uniforms while another pair were wearing SAPS reflector jackets when they were arrested.
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Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, applauded the team for the sterling work.
“This is a great breakthrough as it might help us to solve other cases of truck hijackings, especially where the suspects are posing as police officers.
“This arrest is attributed to an ongoing collaboration between the police and private security companies. I would like to thank all those who were part of this successful arrest,” said Mthombeni.
Masondo said the arrested suspects will be profiled, to establish if they are linked to other serious and violent crimes.
“Investigation is also underway to establish how the suspects got hold of the police uniform,” said Masondo.
