The investigation of the armed robbery in which a hitch-hiking 67-year-old man was robbed of over R200,000 is ongoing. The case was reported at Estcourt police station.

The latest update is that the police say several cases of this nature are being investigated in the Uthukela District and they have identified six different types of vehicles used during these incidents.

The 67-year-old alleges that while hitch-hiking to Pietermaritzburg, he got a lift in a white Toyota Corolla. There were four men in the vehicle.

Read original story: Police warn against hitch-hiking after armed robbery

After stopping the vehicle under the pretence of wanting to relieve themselves, they boxed the victim into the back seat, threatened him with a firearm and assaulted him. Two cellphones and his wallet were stolen.

He was forced to give them the Personal Identification Number (PIN) of his banking app and then forced to drink a bottle of hard liquor. He passed out and awoke the following day at the side of the road. A passing motorist stopped to help and took him to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

It was later discovered that R205,000 had been stolen from his bank account.

Police say it is advisable to rather call on friends and family for a lift, or make use of public transport if possible, rather than hitch-hiking.

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