A spike in truck hijackings have become a cause for concern for police.
Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said greater efforts would be made to create awareness after several truck drivers had fallen victim to hijackings recently.
Miller said the Brooklyn and Lyttelton police stations had both received reports of hijacked trucks.
“The criminals target random trucks and police have yet to identify a truck model pattern,” he said.
He said investigations were underway related to three reported cases at the Lyttelton police station.
“All these trucks were ambushed, which indicated some plan went into the hijackings,” said Miller.
“Different methods were used to hijack the trucks.”
He said one of the trucks was stopped by a car with flashing police lights.
According to Miller, a group of men impersonating police officers told the driver something was wrong at the back of the truck.
“When the driver got out to investigate, a number of armed men pounced on him and took his truck.”
Miller said winning the battle against these culprits was something police took very seriously.
“We plan to create more awareness, and educate drivers and their companies on what to do in such situations.”
“Police strongly believe truck drivers need more information on how to increase awareness.”
He said more patrols would be conducted with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to ensure perpetrators were brought to book.
“Prevention is always safer in such cases and according to reports, a truck was targeted and hijacked every two weeks in different areas,” said Miller.
“We want to warn drivers to always drive to the nearest petrol station or heavily populated area when stopping to check if something is actually wrong with their truck.”
The companies that own the trucks also have a major role to play in informing the driver on how to become more aware.
According to reports from Brooklyn police station, two trucks were hijacked in broad daylight on Tuesday and Wednesday two weeks ago.
Spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said this happened between 12:00 and 15:00 on the N1 freeway at the Lynnwood Road and Delmas Road intersection in Erasmuskloof.
Weilbach said the perpetrators used the same method in both hijackings.
“Both truck drivers said a passenger in a passing vehicle indicated there was something wrong with the back of their trucks.”
She said both truck drivers stopped to investigate.
“The truck drivers did not expect any foul play as the person who indicated the problem drove off.”
A second vehicle with two to three men then approached the parked trucks and hijacked them.
Weilbach said the truck drivers and their crew were forced into another vehicle and were later dropped off at different locations.
“Police urge truck drivers to be alert at all times to prevent these types of hijackings,” she said.
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Truck hijackings spike in west
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