ESTCOURT KZN: Two hijacked vehicles recovered and four arrested in crime blitz

Success was achieved by the Ladysmith Vehicle Crime Investigating Unit (VCIU) during a one-day operation in Estcourt on March 18.

The officers were conducting ‘stop and search’ operations in the central business district (CBD) when they came across a Toyota Tazz with three suspicious-looking male occupants. Suspicions turned into facts when the policemen checked the vehicle’s details against their records.

“The result came out positive that the vehicle was hijacked in Tongaat in March 2021,” said police spokesperson Captain Bongani Nyathi.

But that was not all… Upon searching the three occupants, police recovered a driver’s licence, a Samsung cell-phone, a Garmin navigator, as well as a spare tyre.

All of these items were reported stolen during two robberies on the N3 near Midway. The driver’s licence was stolen in December 2020 and the other items taken the night before (March 17).

“Police from the Ladysmith SAPS VCIU Unit arrested the three suspects, aged between 24 and 37. They were detained in Estcourt and will be appearing in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court soon for a bail application,” said Captain Nyathi.

The officers then went to Loskop (Amangwe), where they recovered a Mazda 323 that was reported stolen in Alexander in Gauteng in August 2019.

“One suspect was arrested and detained at Amangwe police station. He appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on March 19 for a bail application,” added Captain Nyathi.

The Uthukela Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier ZO Kunene, applauded and thanked the members involved in this operation.

“I am happy and very proud of your good work. Four arrests and two vehicles recovered within a period of three hours is very good work,” the brigadier said.

NOW READ: Woman raped after a night out at a tavern

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter