Police arrested a panel beater owner for possession of a hijacked motor vehicle on January 3.
Rabie Ridge SAPS communication officer Capt Mofana Masela said two hardworking police officials, Lt Col Francois van der Merwe and WO Morithi Makuwa were on a visible patrol checking compliance. They arrived at Shirinda Auto panel beaters along Dane Road in Austin View. He said while searching the business place and inspecting motor vehicles, the SAPS members identified a white VW golf as hijacked in Kempton Park.
Police immediately arrested the suspect (the owner of the panel beater business) for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
It is alleged the vehicle arrived on his business premises on December 24, 2017.
Police discovered three stolen motor vehicles at the premises. They were alleged to have been brought there on December 23, 2017.
A day later another vehicle was found there. It, therefore, shows that criminals sell stolen motor vehicles to the panel beater,” said Masela.
According to Det Const Jafter Lekhuleni of the Midrand SAPS, it is alleged a tracker company traced two vehicles stolen from Thabo and Mpho cleaning company in Kaalfontein to be at the panel beater’s business premises.
He said all stolen motor vehicles, which are a VW golf, a Nissan NP200, a Ford Ranger and a Ford Fiesta, that were recovered at the panel beater were taken in for storage and identification.
“Police is investigating a business burglary (Midrand case), hijacking (Kempton Park case) and possession of hijacked motor vehicle (Rabie ridge case).
The suspect will soon appear at Tembisa Magistrate’s Court for possession of hijacked motor vehicles.
Acting station commander at Rabie Ridge SAPS station, Lt Col van der Merwe said police will intensify operations to check on compliance of all scrapyards in the area.
