Motorists warned to be wary of bogus ‘officers’ along Heidelberg Road, R23
Motorists are advised to drive to the nearest police station or public place if they suspect they are being pulled over by blue light hijackers.
Brakpan police have urged motorists to be vigilant when travelling along Heidelberg Road (R23) following two hijackings along this stretch of road last week.
In both cases the perpetrators were travelling in cars fitted with blue lights.
The first incident took place on Tuesday when the driver of a single cab Toyota bakkie was robbed of his vehicle at the corner of Heidelberg Road and Koot Street in Withok Estates.
The victim was pulled over around 10.30am by the occupants of a dark Toyota sedan with blue lights.
Two men wearing blue police uniforms held the victim at gunpoint and forced him into their vehicle.
His head was covered and he was robbed of his cellphone, bank card and other personal items.
The victim was then driven to Langlaagte, Johannesburg, where he was let go.
The bakkie’s tracking device was found in Soweto, but the vehicle is yet to be recovered.
Two days later, another motorist fell victim to blue light hijackers.
This victim, travelling in a white Ford Ranger bakkie, was targeted along the R23 near Makro Carnival.
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The incident took place at about 10am.
He had pulled off from the traffic lights when he noticed a white Ford Ranger bakkie with flashing blue lights behind him.
The occupants of the bakkie indicated that he should pull over.
The victim stopped on the side of the road, with the bakkie following.
A man in plain clothes alighted the Ford Ranger and asked the victim why he was driving so fast.
This man then reached in through the window and switched off the victim’s vehicle.
A second man appeared at the passenger side, opened the door and pointed a gun at the victim.
He was forced into the backseat and his face was covered.
The victim was driven to an unknown destination where he was forced out of his bakkie and into another vehicle.
He was then driven to another location where he was held for some time with one of the hijackers keeping a watch over him.
The victim was eventually dropped off at a secluded area and was robbed of his cellphones and bank cards
Motorists are advised to drive to the nearest police station if they suspect they are being pulled over by blue light hijackers.
Police are monitoring the area and motorists are urged to report suspicious-looking people, vehicles or activities, to the Brakpan SAPS on 011 744 7136.
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