Hitchhikers, blue lights and prostitues: How hijackers trick drivers

Hijackers take advantage of truck drivers stopping on the highways.

When the driver stops, the suspects will appear and take possession of the truck. In other cases, drivers pick up what seems to look like a harmless hitchhiker just to realise later on the route that the hitchhiker is in cahoots with a hijacking syndicate.

Other hijackers use a vehicle fitted with a blue light to pull over  trucks. Station Commander of Heidelberg Police Station Col Phiwe Ndwandwe, warns drivers that hijackers making use of blue lights to stop trucks are active on the N3 between KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg.

“It is not only the drivers of trucks that need to be vigilant. Hijackers target new vehicles traveling from KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg as well, and if the vehicle is not fitted with number plates yet, the chance of arriving at your destination is even slimmer,” Col Ndwandwe emphasised.

The most common modus operandi is vehicles fitted with blue lights that drive behind the truck indicating the driver must stop. Col Ndwandwe warned motorists to immediately phone 10111 when signalled by a vehicle with blue lights to stop. “The operators of 10111 will know exactly which official police vehicles are on patrol and their location at that time. If you still doubt, switch on your vehicle’s hazards and drive to the nearest filling station or police station,” Col Ndwandwe said. Always stop at a safe spot and not in a secluded area. Most hijackings near Heidelberg occur at night – making it even harder for the police as the victims fail to identify or describe the suspects.

Col Ndwandwe added that motorists must take note that blue lights on police vehicles are fitted on top of vehicles, and not in the front of the vehicle or on dashboards.

To prevent hijackers to operate next to the N3 as hitchhikers, Heidelberg police have been enforcing Lesedi Local Municipality’s bylaws that prohibit hitchhiking or walking on the highway. It is also against the law to urinate next to the road, so drivers are urged to stop at filling stations.

Heidelberg police continue to patrol the N3 around Heidelberg day and night, but each and every road user should also be vigilant. Do not stop next to the N3, do not pick up hitchhikers, and when signalled to stop by a vehicle fitted with blue lights, first phone 10111.

Tips on how to act when pulled over by bogus police officers:

• Only stop at public places such as filling stations and nearest police stations to verify the authenticity of police officers.

• Do not stop at a deserted spot or area to talk on your phone or relieve yourself.

• Always keep your windows closed.

• If someone tries to force you off the road, don’t panic – switch on your vehicle’s hazards and constantly blow your horn to draw attention.

• Be on high alert and should you feel something is wrong or being followed, contact your nearest police station or phone 10111.

• Marked police vehicles always have a registration number ending in a ‘B’.