Beware of ‘bogus cops’ hijacking vehicles in Boksburg

SAPS warned motorists to beware of criminals, including blue lights gangs, who hijack and steal vehicles in Boksburg.
The warning comes after the police noted hijackings and motor vehicle theft sprees in the area.

Some of the recently reported cases:
• A Mitsubishi Fuso Canter driver transporting goods worth about R800 000 had his company vehicle hijacked by criminals impersonating traffic police on Van Dyk Road on March 12.
The so-called officers signalled for the driver to pull over, and he complied. They initially asked to see his driver’s licence before pointing a gun at him. The criminals jumped into the vehicle and demanded he drive them to a location unknown to him. Then they dumped him and drove away in the delivery truck.

• Another driver told the police that on March 13, he was driving in his employer’s car when a gang of about five robbers posing as police officers used blue lights to signal for him to pull over on the N12 near the R21.
The men in police uniforms jumped into the car, tied his hand and took his personal belongings, such as money, a watch, cellphones, and a laptop, before driving the car with him inside to an open veld and leaving in his employer’s car.

• Another driver had his BMW hijacked on the corner of Wright Street and Rondebult Road in Parkrand on March 16 by a gang of criminals posing as police officers.
The victim told the police a white VW Jetta fitted with blue lights signalled for him to pull over. After stopping, a man described as an African male approached the victim, pointed a firearm at him, and demanded his wallet containing money, while the second suspect opened the boot of his car, from which he took a bag, and both went back to their car and drove off.

• A driver had his vehicle worth about R850 000 stolen while parked on Commissioner Street in Industrial Site on March 14. The victim told the police he left the car and went inside one of the shops, and when he returned to the spot after 20 minutes, the vehicle was gone.

• A driver of a white Nissan Prado is fighting for his life in hospital after criminals shot him during a hijacking on the corner of Trichardt Road and Champion Street.
Information gathered indicated that three men accosted the victim. They fired once before driving away in his vehicle on March 16.

• Another victim had his Ford Ranger stolen from the parking lot at Sunward Park Lifestyle Centre on Kingfisher Avenue on March 15. He and his family went to one of the restaurants, and when they returned to the spot an hour later, the vehicle was gone.

• A driver had his grey Toyota Fortuner stolen while parked at Laerskool Baanbreker in Parkrand on March 16. The victim told the police he left the car in the parking area and went to watch rugby at the school.
However, when he returned to the spot, the vehicle was nowhere to be seen. Inside his car were his Samsung cellphone, a magnetic globe and jumper cables.

• A man had his Ford Focus stolen while parked on Jubilee Road on March 16. The complainant told the police he parked in the parking area, but on returning to the spot an hour later, the car was gone.

Murder
Police are investigating a case of murder after an unidentified man was stabbed to death in Angelo informal settlement.
The police were called to the scene at about 03:00 on March 17 and found the man with stab wounds lying on the ground. Paramedics certified him dead at the scene.

Also Read: WATCH: High-level attention given to high crime levels in Boksburg

Speaking to this publication during Operation Shanela held in the Boksburg North precinct on March 7, Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole pointed out that criminal gangs  labelled the ‘blue-light gang‘ were reportedly terrorising motorists by hijacking their vehicles or robbing them of their belongings in the Ekurhuleni district.

Sithole explained that these crimes are committed by people posing as law enforcement officers. She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and know their rights when stopped by law enforcement.

Tips on what to do if you suspect you’ve been stopped by bogus police

The district commissioner said: “Motorists should be aware that they have the right to drive to a safe place such as a police or petrol station. They will follow you if they are real police officers.” 

Sithole pointed out that genuine police officers must wear a hat and a name tag on their uniform. They will also have appointment cards.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel because Sithole said they had made arrests.

“We have confiscated the uniforms they used to commit these crimes and can confirm they are not real officers,” Sithole said.