Suspected syndicate cracked following vehicle theft, high speed chase
Three men were arrested following a high-speed chase after a Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen from a Hilldrop home on Tuesday evening (October 22).
The arrests may lead to more arrests and the cracking of a syndicate linked to a car and motorbike theft racket and burglaries.
Mornè Potgieter of Ithemba Security said the breakthrough came after five suspects gained entry to the property in Hilldrop by damaging the gate. Once inside, they pushed the vehicle out of the property.
“A live-in worker was awakened by the commotion and managed to alarm the homeowner who contacted me for help,” he said.
However, the suspects were able to get the vehicle started and fled the scene.
Potgieter reacted immediately and called for backup. Information was received that the Land Cruiser was on the N11 travelling towards Volksrust.
Realising that they had been spotted, the thieves attempted to get away which resulted in a high-speed chase between the suspects and Potgieter, who had called for additional backup from various SAPS units, including the Newcastle K9 Unit.
Realising that they were about to be caught, the suspects stopped the vehicle between Utrecht and Ingogo and fled on foot.
Potgieter said information was received that two of the suspects had been spotted and apprehended by a security guard near the railway line.
They had been heading back to Newcastle.
“Members of the community spotted one of the other suspects and gave chase after him. They managed to capture him and hand him over to us along the N11,” said Potgieter.
Upon further investigation, Potgieter said the three suspects were positively linked to several other house break-ins and are suspected to be a part of the syndicate that has been involved in the recent spike in theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles across Newcastle.
“Although there are still two suspects on the run, we are hot on their heels and hope to soon make more arrests,” concluded Potgieter.
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