Stolen vehicles recovered following Newcastle high-speed chase

A wanted suspect was arrested and two stolen vehicles were recovered following a joint law enforcement operation in Newcastle, KZN.

According to Imran Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighters Task Team (CCPA), the drama unfolded when Ithemba Security was alerted that a ‘wanted vehicle’ had been spotted travelling towards Newcastle.

Responding quickly, members of the security company, together with Newcastle SAPS, Newcastle K9 Unit, CCPA and Newcastle Municipal Traffic, traced the vehicle to Albert Wessels Drive.

Realising that he had been seen by the authorities, the driver took off at high speed, and a chase ensued.

The hot pursuit operation ended in Kwamatukuza, east of Newcastle, when the suspects abandoned their vehicle and continued to flee on foot.

Additional support and backup were requested in a bid to block all potential escape routes.

Officers were informed that one of the suspects had then broken into a nearby home in an attempt to evade arrest.

The residence was surrounded by tactical teams, which were able to gain entry into the home and arrest the man.

Later that evening, information was received regarding a second suspect who managed to evade being caught. This led police to conduct a search at four potential ‘safe houses’ in the area.

Although the suspect was not found, law enforcement did, however, find a Toyota Hilux bakkie, which was confirmed to be stolen.

Further information led law enforcement to a homestead in Madadeni Section 7 the following morning, where police recovered a second Toyota Hilux Bakkie that had been stolen in Zululand a year before.

Ghafoor thanked everyone for their assistance in the recoveries and arrests.