Police traced a distribution point of stolen vehicles to Mamelodi in Tshwane recently.
This comes after police impounded a grey Nissan NP200 during one of the roadblocks in Tsakane, Ekhuruleni during the “O Kae Molao” operations.
Police spokesperson Brigidier Mathapelo Peters said the driver of the vehicle, a lecturer at one FET College, was able to provide proof of purchase for the vehicle.
“The vehicle was seized at the roadblock after it was found that both the engine and chassis numbers had been tampered with,” she said.
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“Police in partnership with Data Dot later established that the vehicle had been reported stolen in May 2019 at Lyttleton SAPS”
With the cooperation of the Lecturer, police were able to also establish and trace the distribution point of stolen vehicles to Mamelodi in Tshwane.
She said a follow-up intelligence-driven operation was conducted on Thursday, and police disrupted a sale in progress at a restaurant near a shopping centre in the east of Pretoria.
“Members from the SAPS Vehicle Crime Investigating Unit arrested two suspects aged 38 and 26, both from Mamelodi, who were in possession of a white Ford Ranger reported stolen at Cullinan SAPS in October this year,” she said.
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Peters said further investigations were underway as police believed this arrest could lead to even more arrests as efforts to curb hijackings and theft of motor vehicles intensified.
She cautioned members of the public to obtain a police clearance on a vehicle they wish to buy, prior to taking ownership.
“Failure to do so could result in the loss of their hard-earned monies and even find one earning a criminal record as they could be charged with possession of stolen property.”
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 October 2019, on a charge of possession of stolen vehicle.
“Given the violent nature of vehicle hijackings, the possibility is high that someone could have been killed during the hijacking of that car that you are buying,” warned Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.
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