Captain Leslie Bowler, from the Cleveland SAPS, said police officers received a complaint about a truck that was blocking the road in Cooper Street on Wednesday.
“Police officers went to Cooper Street and found the truck. A tow truck driver was trying to remove the vehicle. We contacted the owner of the truck and he arrived at the scene. He said the truck driver was supposed to deliver the goods in Germiston. The truck driver was not there. The owner checked the truck and found it was empty,” said Capt Bowler.
The owner of the vehicle, Mr Levasen Reddy, told the EXPRESS that the truck was loaded with a bubble bath order for a company in Chloorkop.
“I tried to contact the truck driver and he did not answer his phone. Eventually his phone was switched off,” said Mr Reddy.
Warrant Officer Johan Jordaan said while police officers were at the scene, a security guard from Bad Boyz Security said he saw the truck leave a house in Cooper Street.
Police officers went to the premises and found some of the goods in the driveway. Mr Reddy confirmed it was his goods but it was not the full consignment.
Police officers searched the property and found the rest of the goods in the house.
“At about 3am on Thursday, Jeppe SAPS contacted the Cleveland SAPS and said a truck driver wanted to report a hijacking. We went to the Jeppe SAPS, picked the man up and brought him back to the scene. He was later arrested for the incident in Cyrildene,” said Capt Bowler.
The man believed to be the owner of the house fled immediately when he saw the police officers approach the property. He was still on the run at the time of going to print.
Police officers suspect other goods found strewn in the house are also stolen goods.
Mr Reddy thanked the Cleveland SAPS and said he is relieved his goods were recovered.
