Alex police shot and wounded one of three suspects after they allegedly hijacked a construction worker’s double cab and robbed him of his cellphone.
The incident occurred on 27 January at about 10am, close to a construction site at the Alexandra Mall behind the Engen garage on Vincent Tshabalala Road. According to Alex police spokesperson Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela, the victim was approached at an intersection by two armed men.
One man came to the driver’s door while the other approached from the passenger’s door. They both pointed firearms at him and ordered him to get out of the car.
As he climbed out, one of the hijackers grabbed his cellphone out of his hand and jumped into the vehicle. The victim ran to the Engen garage and asked for help.
A Good Samaritan who had spotted a police van drive past in pursuit of the hijacked vehicle told the victim to jump into his car and they followed the police vehicle. As they were approaching South Africa Boulevard in Tsutsumani Village, they heard a shot ring out.
Apparently there were three suspects in the stolen vehicle and Maphakela said the police shot and wounded one of the suspects while the other two got away. The victim’s car was recovered.
“We appeal to anyone who might have information about the incident or may know the suspects to come forward,” Maphakela said.
Meanwhile, Maphakela reported that a 38-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag by two men, one of them armed with a firearm. The woman was said to have been walking to work at about 6am on 27 January when she was approached by the two on the corner of 14th Avenue and Alfred Nzo Street.
No shots were fired and the woman was not injured. The woman said her handbag contained personal items and a purse with R80 in cash.
