The police in Brits have arrested a 34-year-old suspect believed to be behind a string of violent carjackings committed in Brits, Mooinooi, Bethanie and surrounding areas.
According to North West police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, officers acted swiftly 2, after receiving information about the suspect’s whereabouts. A multidisciplinary team — including Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Detectives, an Intervention Team, the Brits Crime Combatting Unit (CCU), the Trio Task Team, and the Rustenburg Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) — was assembled and successfully intercepted the suspect while he was driving a hijacked Volkswagen Polo in Brits.
During questioning, the suspect led police to Soshanguve, where his alleged accomplice was seen driving a blue Ford Ranger that had also been reported stolen. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect reportedly opened fire on them. Police returned fire, and a high-speed chase ensued. The suspect ultimately abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot under the cover of darkness. The Ford Ranger was later confirmed to have been hijacked in Mooinooi in May.
The arrested suspect faces multiple charges, including five counts of carjacking, three counts of kidnapping, one count of murder, and one count of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. Police say additional charges may follow as the investigation continues. The man is expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on October 6.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the arrest and praised the work of the police teams involved.
“The arrest of this suspect is testament that the long arm of the law and the wheels of justice will continue to relentlessly pursue, detect and flush out heartless, dangerous criminals like him,” said Asaneng.
“His arrest is the beginning of the end of his criminal network as the police have identified and are hot on the trail of other members of this murderous carjacking syndicate.”
Police investigations into the syndicate and its members are ongoing.
