Cloned local vehicle used in truck hijackings

The Ekurhuleni District Criminal Intelligence Trio Task Team, Tembisa Tracing Team and Highway Patrol responded to a tip on February 27 of a suspicious SAPS vehicle in Rabie Ridge.

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It was deduced from the information that a Mazda BT50 with the SAPS-like registration was being driven on Moderfontein Road.

According to the information, the car and its driver had just left a nearby car wash.

According to the communications officer for the Ekurhuleni district, Captain Neldah Sekgobela, the teams promptly conducted an intelligence-driven operation and the marked police vehicle was recovered.

“The car carries marks from the provincial head office and looks like a SAPS car.

‘The driver escaped but was located.

“Investigations indicated that the car belonged to the suspect who has been involved in truck hijackings using cloned vehicles from the SAPS.

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“Later, the owner arrived and requested the SAPS members to release the driver offering them R5 000 as a bribe. He was immediately placed under arrest.

“The driver from Falcon Street in Rabie Ridge was also detained for possession of a cloned SAPS vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle.

“The suspect from President Park in Midrand was arrested for bribery. Both individuals were taken into custody by SAPS at Rabie Ridge. The vehicle was confirmed stolen in Bedfordview in December 2022,” said Sithole.

Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole thanked the members for responding swiftly to prevent further hijackings in the district and ensuring that the suspects are put where they belong.

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