New hijack trend? Pta motorist recounts R70k robbery

A motorist, who was on his way to Pretoria North, was robbed of R70,000 when he stopped to remove what appeared to be a wire on the road.

“The victim said that he was driving with his niece and son at 10:00 on 14 April, when he noticed an obstacle on the road,” said Akasia police spokesperson Lindiwe Mabaso.

The man stopped the vehicle and asked his niece to remove the wire on the road.

However, when she got out of the car, three armed men appeared.

“One of the men opened the door from the driver’s side and ordered the man to sit in the back with his son and niece,” Mabaso said.

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Motorist held hostage while robbers fleece bank account

The men got into the car and drove them towards the R80 highway into Soshanguve, where they drove around.

One of the robbers searched the man’s bag where he found bank cards and a cellphone.

Spiking incidents are increasing again. From Pienaarsrivier north to Radium, north of Pretoria: This takes place in northbound lanes. Group of approximately 6 suspects -They shot at a victim and he succumbed to his wounds in hospital.
There was also an incident of spiking near…

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 18, 2023

The robbers forced the victim to reveal his PIN and passwords to gain access to his bank accounts.

While they were held hostage, the victim said one of the robbers got out of the vehicle, while the two men were left guarding them at an unknown location with a green shack in the yard.

“That is when they heard the suspect who left making calls to get hold of a woman working at a bank that would help in transferring the money into their accounts.

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Motorist told to ‘never look back’

“After two hours, when they acquired up to R70,000 from the victim, one of the robbers ordered him into the car and told him to drive away and never look back.”

The victim then drove to the Soshanguve police station where he was referred to the Akasia station as it was the station nearest to where the robbery was.

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Public appeal for information

Police appealed to anyone with information that could lead to the robbers’ arrest to contact the police at 012 564 0700 or the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.

Callers can remain anonymous.

Edited by Cornelia le Roux.
This article originally appeared in Pretoria Rekord and was republished with permission. Read the original article here.