Cigarette truck hijacked
A high speed chase between the SAPS, a Jetta and taxi followed.
HIJACKERS stole a cigarette delivery vehicle near Scottburgh yesterday morning.
The 31-year-old driver of a British American Tobacco BAT) vehicle was held up by two armed men.
The driver was delivering to a store in KwaCele, inland of Scottburgh.
While the driver was returning to the vehicle, two suspects approached him and threatened him with a pistol.
They then forced him into the vehicle and drove off.
“As they turned into a dirt side road, the robbers demanded money as well as the driver’s panic button. The delivery man told them that he did not have either,” said Scottburgh SAPS communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum.
The robbers soon joined up with their accomplices, who were driving a VW Jetta. They proceeded to load several cartons of cigarettes into the Jetta.
When the car was full, the remaining cartons were dumped on the side of the road.
Money and a cellphone were also stolen. The men took the vehicle, which was later abandoned, and fled in the Jetta. The delivery driver was left behind.
“Scottburgh SAPS response crew and detectives were joined by a forensic expert from the Port Shepstone Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC) who combed the scene for forensic evidence,” said Captain Pandarum.
Acting on information received from the Scottburgh Crime Intelligence Unit, the Scottburgh Detective Task Team, Umzinto K9 Unit, Umzinto Task Team, Scottburgh Crime Intelligence and Scottburgh Crime Prevention Unit gathered on the N2 highway at Umkomaas.
As the Jetta and a white Toyota Quantum taxi passed, a high speed chase ensued, said Captain Pandarum.
The police managed to pull the taxi over at Winkelspruit. The Jetta was lost during the chase.
The taxi was impounded, and the driver and two passengers arrested.
Police searched the taxi and recovered all of the stolen cigarettes.
“The driver of the taxi is from Dududu while the other two suspects are from the KwaMashu area in Durban,” said Captain Pandarum.
The three men who were arrested and detained, will be appearing in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of carjacking and armed robbery.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
