Armed robbers impersonating police officers targeted a stranded truck driver and a mechanic along Heidelberg Road on November 7.

According to police information, the truck broke down near New Kleinfontein Road in Leachville at around 13:00.

The driver of the truck contacted his company, who advised that they would send out an auto electrician. The auto electrician arrived and, after inspecting the truck, determined that the problem was mechanical rather than electrical.

A mechanic was then called and arrived at about 18:30. While working on the vehicle with the bonnet open, two men approached and identified themselves as police officers.

The pair then threatened the driver and the mechanic with guns and instructed them to cooperate, or be shot.

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One of the men searched both victims and took the driver’s cellphone and wallet containing his ID and bank cards.

He also demanded the driver’s banking app password, and the robbers then accessed his account. The mechanic’s cellphone was also taken, and transfers were made from his bank account.

The robbers then forced the victims into a nearby open field and instructed them to lie face down and not look up.

After about 15 minutes had passed, the driver stood up and found the robbers had fled.

The driver then went to his girlfriend’s residence to contact his employer and report the matter. An armed robbery case was opened at Brakpan SAPS.

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