Update: Suspected truck hijackers nabbed
RABIE RIDGE - FIVE alleged truck hijackers met their downfall when police successfully arrested them in Marlboro.
5 May; 2:30 pm
The five suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the hijacking of a courier truck in Olifantsfontein earlier today.
According to Colonel Katlego Mogale, police provincial spokesperson, the arrest took place at 1pm following a high-speed chase between the suspects, police and the Ekurhuleni Metro police.
Describing the hijacking she said, “It is alleged that the truck was cornered by about four vehicles, a white Golf 7, white Ford ST and a BMW 1Series and was subsequently hijacked.”
Mogale said a high-speed chase then ensued on the N3 South before the Golf 7 took the Marlboro off-ramp with three of the suspects inside. The golf was chased to a construction site where the three were finally apprehended. Two sustained injuries during a shootout with police.
Mogale confirmed that police recovered an AK47 on the scene; while the hijacked truck was found abandoned in Tsutsumani Village in Alexandra.
“Cargo amounting to thousands of rand was also recovered while two more suspects were arrested,” she said.
Mogale said all five suspects will appear in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on charges of truck hijacking, possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The case continues
5 May; 1.27 pm
Warrant officer Moses Maphakela of Sandton police confirmed two suspects were arrested on the morning of 5 May in Rabie Ridge in connection with a truck hijacking.
This, after suspects believed to be from the same syndicate, were arrested in Marlboro on 4 May. Maphakela could not say how many suspects had been arrested on 4 May but on the Eblockwatch Facebook group, a user posted that three suspects were arrested in a hijacked Golf 7 GTI.
It was also alleged on the Facebook group that one AK47 had been recovered with rounds of ammunition, and that the stolen truck was recovered in Alexandra – but this was also not confirmed by Maphakela.
Updates to follow as more information becomes available.
