An Alex taxi driver ran for his life when he was allegedly hijacked by an armed suspect.
Police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang said the incident occurred at 3am on 12 August at the intersection of 11th and Sam Buti avenues. The victim was driving a Toyota Venture from Pan Africa Mall with four passengers when one of them allegedly pointed a gun and threatened to kill him. The driver jumped out while the vehicle was still moving and ran into a yard from where he observed it being driven away. The victim suspected the gunman and passengers were gang members. The vehicle worth R130 000 vehicle hasn’t been recovered.
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In the same week, five other vehicles were stolen and four more broken into. A Toyota Tazz was stolen from its owner’s 10th Avenue home on 8 August. The victim parked it at 3am and ensured that it was locked before going into the house to sleep. When he woke up at 6am, the vehicle worth R40 000 was missing and hasn’t been found.
The same day, two Toyota Corollas were also stolen outside the owners’ homes at night.
One was taken from a Tsutsumani home after the owner parked it at 7pm and ensured it was locked. A while later, he checked and saw the vehicle, worth R30 000 was missing.
The other vehicle worth R16 000 was stolen in 20th Avenue after its owner parked and locked it at 10pm and went into the house to sleep. He found it missing the following morning. Both vehicles haven’t been found.
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The next day, a Toyota Tazz worthy R14000 was allegedly stolen in East Bank. The owner, who lives in Weltevreden Park, left the vehicle worth R28 000 parked and secured on Thoko Mngoma Street. On his return after a while, he found it missing.
A VW Polo worth R130 000 was allegedly hijacked at 9pm on 10 August. He parked it on 4th avenue to go to a spaza shop. As he walked towards the store, two men approached him. One pointed a gun at him and demanded the vehicle’s keys, which he handed over, while the other searched his pockets and took unspecified items before they drove off in his car.
Details: Alex Police Station 011 439 7718/9.
