Officers from the Katlehong North Police Station began investigating an alleged hijacking after a 35-year-old man came to the station to open a case last Friday.
“He alleged he was hired by two men to collect and transport goods from Alberton,” explained Capt Lesetja Mathobela, communications officer for the Katlehong North police.
“When he arrived in Alberton, the men reportedly threatened him with firearms, took his cellphone and ordered him to drive to Benoni.
“When they arrived in Benoni, the man alleged he was forced out of the vehicle and spent the night sleeping in a bush near the roadside.
“In the morning, he reportedly used his last R10 for a taxi to Katlehong.”
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During follow-up interviews with members from the Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC), the man’s story changed and police became suspicious.
“Officers questioned his girlfriend,” said Mathobela.
“She told police she had spoken to the man three times on the night he was allegedly hijacked, the last phone call was at midnight, during which he told her he was on his way back from Pretoria and would be home soon.
“At 3.30am, she attempted to call him again but his phone went straight to voicemail.”
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the man was a suspect in a business robbery which took place in Crystal Park, Benoni.
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“It is alleged the suspects of the business robbery were chased by the business’s security guards and decided to abandon their vehicle,” said Mathobela.
“It was clear that the suspect was attempting to escape suspicion by reporting a false case of hijacking.”
He was arrested on a charge of business robbery.
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