A tip-off from community members sparked the police’s interest and SAPS soon spotted a suspicious white VW Polo Playa vehicle.

Upon realising that they were being followed by the Police, the suspects sped off and a vehicle chase ensued.

Read: New hijacking trend: urgent warning to bakkie owners

During this operation, three suspects aged between 26 and 33 were intercepted and apprehended while they were en route to go and commit business robberies in and around Mentz and Ga-Shiloane villages in the Mankweng Policing precinct.

The following items were recovered during the apprehension: One hijacked motor vehicle, two unlicensed firearms, magazines and ammunition and two cellphones.

The suspects may be linked to a series of TRIO crimes in the Mankweng and Tzaneen Clusters and they will appear before the Mankweng Magistrate Court soon on charges of possession of suspected stolen properties, unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

They will later appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate Court on a charge of carjacking.