Look out for car hijackers posing as police
Police would like to warn motorists to be cautious of car hijackings committed by unknown suspects posing as police officers or traffic officers. Potchefstroom police recently reported a case that led to the warning.
The Police would like to warn motorists to be cautious of car hijackings committed by unknown suspects posing as police officers or traffic officers.
According to Police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, at about 07:45 on Thursday, 6 October 2022, two men wearing traffic officer uniforms stopped a 24-year-old motorist driving an Isuzu KB Single Cab bakkie between Potchefstroom and Carletonville. The driver was near a fuel station near Boskop when two men in uniform stopped him.
The men, who were driving a white Volkswagen Polo with blue lights, requested him (the motorist) to produce his driver’s license and to step out of the vehicle for a routine inspection. “He was suddenly threatened with a firearm and pushed into the back of the vehicle. Another white Volkswagen Polo joined the first group and the victim was blindfolded and driven to Vleikop in Randfontein, where he was released unharmed,” Myburgh explained.
In addition to respecting the law, motorists should exercise caution and use hazard lights whenever they are stopped by a suspicious police or traffic officer, they can also drive to a police station or a public place, such as a fuel station or business complex.
“ In case of a hijacking in progress and you are confronted directly by the suspects, remain calm, do not resist and do as you are told. Do not make eye contact, leave the engine running and exit the vehicle. Try to create as much space between yourself and the hijacker/s. Show them you are not a threat by holding up your hands,” Myburgh added.
