The swift action of a police officer attached to the Polokwane Flying Squad led to the apprehension of five carjacking suspects and the recovery of stolen items and a firearm.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the crime was committed on Sunday morning in Motinti in the Seshego policing precinct.

The officer acted on information provided by a tracking company regarding a vehicle hijacked in Motinti village and managed to track it, says Ledwaba.

“The vehicle was tactically stopped and all four occupants, including the driver were arrested. Backup was also requested,” he adds.

The team then went to Motinti, where another suspect was found in possession of items taken from the hijacked vehicle and the firearm used during the carjacking.

“The case has been handed over to the Polokwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation. The five suspects will appear in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court today on carjacking, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of suspected stolen property charges,” Ledwaba says.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe lauded the collaboration between SAPS and the tracking company.