9 parrots stolen in uMhlanga hijacking
The parrots are valued at R71 000 and were taken along with the victim's car in the armed hijacking.
NINE African Grey parrots, valued at R71 000, were stolen during an armed hijacking on the N2 uMhlanga off-ramp on Sunday afternoon. The vehicle, a Ford Focus, was found abandoned at the Shell Garage on Umhlanga Rocks Drive. The victim said he had put up an advert on Gumtree selling the parrots and was soon contacted by a lady who said she wanted to buy all nine.
According to Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, the duo had agreed to meet at Gateway to complete the transaction. The incident occurred at about 4.30pm.
“The victim alleges he was at the off-ramp when a man wearing a hoodie and armed with a handgun jumped out a vehicle in front of him. He ordered the victim to get out of the car and drove off with the parrots in the vehicle. Approximately 15 minutes later, the vehicle was found abandoned at a service station in uMhlanga.
“There was no sign of the parrots and it is alleged the suspect handed the African Greys to one of his accomplices. The birds are valued at R71 000 and there is still no sign of them. We reviewed CCTV footage at the service station and saw the suspect jump out the vehicle and walk towards Umhlanga Rocks Drive,” Deokaran said.
