The 40-year-old man, who was arrested on a charge of theft, managed to escape police custody, as he was being booked into the police station.
According to Capt Joep Joubert, spokesperson for the Brakpan police station commander, the man was arrested by the Brakpan SAPS Anti-Hijacking Task Team earlier that day at an address in Springs.
“The charge relates to the theft of a compactor worth R34 000,” said Joubert.
“It was stolen in Brakpan and was identified by its owner at a local pawn shop.”
Joubert told the Herald that at about 5.15pm yesterday, the suspect grabbed a police constable in the Community Service Centre (charge office).
“The constable was busy with the formal booking procedures, when he was grabbed and pushed into a walk-in safe,” he said.
“The suspect closed the safe door and ran from the station, where he was seen getting into a red Volkswagen Golf.”
“The constable called for help and the Anti-Hijacking Task Team pursued the escaped suspect.”
The team caught up with the Golf minutes later at the corner of Station Road and Kingsway Avenue, and the suspect was re-arrested.
Two other people — a 21-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman — were arrested for aiding and abetting the man, as well as defeating the ends of justice.
The trio are expected to appear in court today (Thursday).
The arrested man was one of two brothers recently arrested by the task team for their alleged involvement in a housebreaking syndicate.
He was released from custody last week, after the case was not enrolled at the Brakpan Magistrates Court.
Read the full story here: House break-in syndicate busted in Brakpan
Other suspects denied bail
Five of the men also arrested for their alleged involvement in a housebreaking syndicate appeared in the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Monday, where the case was postponed to March 2.
They were denied bail and remain in custody at the Boksburg Prison.
