Toyota Prado stolen in Benoni recovered near Polokwane
An intelligence-driven operation led to a high-speed pursuit and the arrest of a 24-year-old man near Polokwane.
POLOKWANE – A 24-year-old man is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday (June 5), after police recovered a Toyota Prado valued at about R900 000 during an anti-smuggling operation in Limpopo.
According to Limpopo police, members of the Provincial Tracking Team and Provincial Investigation Unit, supported by the Tactical Response Team and Tshimollo Security and Investigations, acted on information received during the early hours of Thursday (June 4).
Police spokespersons said the vehicle had allegedly been stolen in Gauteng and was believed to be travelling towards the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
The operational team deployed along the R101 South in the Westenburg policing area, where they reportedly identified the vehicle travelling at high speed.
According to police, the driver failed to stop when instructed to do so, resulting in a pursuit. The vehicle was eventually brought to a stop at the intersection of the R101 and R519 roads, where the driver was arrested.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VX Series was reported stolen in Benoni on May 30.
The arrested man faces charges relating to possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, reckless and negligent driving, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Limpopo provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the multi-disciplinary team involved in the operation.
“This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to combating vehicle theft and cross-border smuggling. We remain focused on recovering stolen vehicles and ensuring those implicated in criminal activities are brought before the courts,” Hadebe said.
Police investigations are ongoing.
