Police bust another car theft ring in Centurion
The suspects’ vehicle was fitted with false plates and more number plates were found in the boot.
Police and their E2 security partners busted a second car theft ring on Wednesday, April 24 in Centurion.
On Tuesday a Lyttelton police undercover unit surveilling a car theft hotspot noticed three people acting suspiciously and followed their car.
After a few rounds, a back-up team stopped and arrested the three after locating equipment used in the theft of cars as well as car-remote jamming devices.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said the following day, on Wednesday, unit members identified a vehicle previously linked to a car theft ring in Lyttelton.
Van Dyk said Lyttelton police and E2 members received intelligence that the vehicle had been seen on John Voster Drive.
He said law enforcement quickly located the vehicle and ordered the driver to stop for questioning.
“During an inspection, it was established the vehicle was fitted with false plates,” he said.
A search uncovered multiple other number plates in the boot, along with tools commonly used to break into and steal motor vehicles.
He said that the three occupants of the vehicle were arrested and taken to the Lyttelton police station for further questioning and verification of the vehicle’s status.
“It was discovered that the same vehicle had been involved in an attempted theft of a motor vehicle and pointing of a firearm earlier in the day,” he said.
Van Dyk said the information was verified with the Boschkop police station, and it was also confirmed that the vehicle was stolen in Brooklyn in January.
The suspects face charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and car-breaking implements.
He said an investigation into the attempted theft, pointing of a firearm as well as hijacking and kidnapping in Boschkop would seek to link the cases.
“The units involved in the operation include Lyttelton police, police highway patrol, police diplomatic unit, Tshwane metro police K9, Tracking Company, Noordvaal, Scorpion, Vision Tactical, and Tracker SA,” he said.
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