One hijacker arrested, three at large
Three men were at large after a shootout between police and hijackers in Pretoria West on Wednesday.
A shootout between police and armed men ensued on Wednesday afternoon in Pretoria West.
This is after four armed men were spotted by the Railway police attempting to hijack a delivery van.
The incident took place on the corner of Quagga and Roger Dyson roads.
“Three employees of ALI’s Electronics in Pretoria West were driving a delivery bakkie from Pretoria West to Laudium, transporting electronic equipment. At the robot on the corner of Quagga and Roger Dyson roads, two vehicles, a white bakkie and a white sedan looking like a TOYOTA Tazz or Conquest, blocked them from the front and rear,” Pretoria Central cluster spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said.
He said four men armed with firearms approached and pointed firearms at the workers.
While the attempted hijacking was taking place, the Railway police were approaching the T-junction of Quagga and Roger Dyson roads and witnessed what was happening.
“The suspects fired at the police and they returned fire, after which the four suspects fled on foot. The Railway police called for backup and the SAPS chopper managed to identify one suspect hiding in the nearby bushes,” said Msimango.
The man, who happened to be a 33-year-old Zimbabwean national, was arrested. A filed 9mm pistol was found at the scene with ammunition.
The 33-year-old was arrested for attempted murder, attempted hijacking and possession of unlicensed firearm. He will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s court soon.
“The three suspects and the drivers of both vehicles are still at large. Anyone with further information can contact the Pretoria West police station,” said Msimango.
A passerby, Zelia Sonja Theron, told Rekord that she just saw a lot of police at the intersection.
“I saw a lot of camera men and later found out that it was an attempted armed robbery or hijacking. There were apparently five robbers and one of them was caught,” said Theron.
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