Kidnappers stopped in their tracks
Florida police officers were praised for their exceptional efforts in recovering a kidnapping victim and putting his kidnappers behind bars.
Five kidnappers were arrested on September 20 thanks to the dedication, professionalism and swift action of Florida police officers.
The ordeal began when a Florida police officer had just arrived home from a 12-hour shift that Friday night, when he was approached by his neighbour from across the road, who told him that his son had just been hijacked and kidnapped.
The sergeant immediately sprang into action, reporting the crime to his colleagues, and rushing back to the police station, where investigations began.
It turns out the 48-year-old victim had been driving his white Volkswagen Caddy along Panorama Drive in Constantia Kloof when he found his way blocked by an SUV.
Two men allegedly got out of the SUV and forced the man into their vehicle, where a further three suspects held him at gunpoint, covering his face with a beany and taking his wallet, ID, bank cards and driver’s license.
According to Lieutenant Sipho Dlamini, police officers, assisted by private security officers from Help24 and Bhekani Abantu Security managed to track the victim’s smartwatch, which led them to an address in Dobsonville where two suspects were arrested.
“Further investigation led them to a second address in Lawley, near Lenasia. Here, an operational plan was put together and set into motion, resulting in the arrest of three more suspects.”
Dlamini adds that police found the victim at the address in Lawley and that he was unharmed.
“Police managed to persuade one of the suspects to spill the beans. This suspect then led police to the notorious Jerusalema informal settlement in Hamberg, where the stolen Caddy was recovered.”
Dlamini has expressed his, and the station management’s thanks to the officers involved in the takedown, praising them for their determination to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victim and the arrest of the suspects.
