Members of the EMPD Community Liaison Unit (CLU) recovered two stolen vehicles within seven minutes of each other, in the same place, last Friday afternoon.
The recoveries took place at about 1pm, at the intersection of Maphana and Tsotetsi streets, in Katlehong.
The Metro Police were driving along Maphana Street when, out of the blue, a Toyota Quantum minibus driver slammed on the brakes of the vehicle.
“He stopped the vehicle and bolted on foot from the idling Quantum, leaving the driver’s door wide open,” said Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, the spokesman for the EMPD.
“On closer inspection of the Quantum, it was discovered that its ignition had been tampered with and the dashboard damaged.
“It also emerged that the Quantum had been stolen just an hour earlier, in Vereeniging.
“The incident happened at 1pm.”
Kgasago added that, at exactly 1.07pm, the Metro Police members were given a second pleasant surprise when, while they were busy with the Quantum, a VW Polo with a spluttering engine broke down next to them.
“Upon trying to assist the driver of the VW Polo, one officer realised that the rear number plate was clumsily covered with a false plate.
“When it was checked, the VW Polo also returned as a positively stolen vehicle – stolen two hours earlier, in Sasolburg,” Kgasago said.
The 24-year-old old VW Polo driver was taken in to the Ramakonopi Police Station. and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The driver who dumped the stolen Toyota Quantum is still at large and the police have started a manhunt for him.
