Reaction officer finds child unharmed in stolen bakkie

• A boy, believed to be five years old, was found unharmed inside a stolen bakkie, near the Dawn Park Shopping Centre, on the evening of April 11.

Jason Smith, a tactical manager at Graphite Security, followed up on information about the vehicle, a blue Ford Ranger. He then discovered the boy safe and sound inside.

Smith said the bakkie was parked at the Sunward Park Lifestyle Centre when it was stolen and the boy was alone inside because the father went into a hardware store.

“Information about the vehicle was circulated and stated that a child was in the car. I immediately went to the R103 while waiting for the tracking details. This meant I could go in any direction to assist in getting the boy safe and recover the vehicle,” Smith explained.

He said a community member posted on a WhatsApp group about an abandoned vehicle near the Dawn Park Shopping Centre that matched the bakkie’s description of the bakkie.

“I was about five minutes away and responded immediately. I found the child unharmed and the vehicle undamaged,” said Smith.

“This was 30 minutes after the vehicle was taken. I believe the thieves abandoned it because they got scared when they realised the boy was still inside.”

According to Captain Nelda Sekgobela, the Ekurhuleni district SAPS spokesperson, the incident was not reported to the police.

Tips
After the incident, Smith shared tips on what to do in a hijacking scenario.

Smith said that even though there are no set rules in a hijacking, the safety of everyone involved is paramount. He shared some pointers to navigate such a distressing scenario:

• Remain calm: Despite the chaos, try and remain composed because emotions could escalate the situation.
• Observe your surroundings: Take note of your location and any identifying features of the perpetrators to aid in the investigation afterwards.
• Listen and comply: Pay attention to instructions and do not make sudden movements to avoid startling the hijackers.
• Prioritise safety: Do not try to be a hero. You can replace material possessions but not lives.
• If accompanied: Should there be passengers in the vehicle, especially children, calmly instruct them to comply and exit the vehicle safely. Emphasise the importance of not approaching or antagonising the hijackers.
• Seek safety: Once outside the vehicle, move away from the road and assess your surroundings for an opportunity to call for help discreetly.
• Provide accurate information: When reporting the incident, be clear and concise, providing details such as the victim’s name, age, clothing, immediate medical conditions, and the stolen vehicle’s information.
• Details for tracking the company: If applicable, provide information about the tracking company, vehicle registration, legal owner, next of kin, vehicle make, model, colour, distinctive features, remaining fuel, stolen valuables, number of perpetrators, location, and time of the incident.
• Furthermore, Smith urged parents never to leave children alone in a car.

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