The Tshwane Flying Squad recovered six stolen vehicles in February, all Toyotas.
The latest crime statistics released by the SAPS show 3 010 cars were hijacked in Gauteng between October and December last year.
The hijacking hotspots in Tshwane included Loate Tshwane District (67), Mamelodi East (60), Olievenhoutbosch (53) and Pretoria West (49).
The Toyotas were found abandoned during separate incidents throughout the month and were taken to the Pretoria West Pound for further investigation.
These included:
– A white Toyota Hilux was recovered in Oranje Street, Eersterust inside a residential yard without the suspect. The vehicle had been stolen in Brooklyn. Fingerprints were taken on the scene and the vehicle was impounded. It was recovered through Rentrak tracking and is valued at R500 000.
– A white Toyota Prado stolen in the Moot was recovered at block XX in Soshanguve after it was left abandoned. Local criminal record centre staff from Pretoria North were on the scene and the vehicle (valued at R700 000) was impounded.
– A white Toyota Etios stolen in Hercules was recovered after it had been deserted next to the Usave marathon stand in Winterveldt. Local criminal record centre staff attended the scene and the vehicle worth R95 000 was taken to the police pound.
– Another white Toyota Etios stolen at Wierdabrug was recovered on the R80 without the suspects. The fingerprint expert and local criminal record centre members attended the scene. The vehicle, worth R120 000, was recovered through Tracker SA and taken to the police pound.
– A bronze Toyota Etios stolen in Pretoria West was recovered on the M17 road next to Caltex Mabopane. Local criminal record centre staff were on the scene and the vehicle valued at R110 100 was taken to the pound.
– A white Toyota Hilux fitted with false registration plates was stolen in Brooklyn and recovered parked inside a house on Pele Street, Soshanguve block XX. Local criminal record staff were on hand and the vehicle valued at R489 900 was taken to the Pretoria West Pound.
The Flying Squad also recovered one shotgun with nine 12-bore rounds stolen in Sinoville, as well as a 303 Rifle with one magazine.
Seven rounds of ammunition were also recovered in a black bag lying under the bridge on the N4 in the direction of the Quagga Toll plaza West while on patrol. The firearms were handed into the Pretoria West police station.
The Tshwane metro police department previously identified the following hijacking hotspots around Pretoria:
– All traffic lights along Roger Dyson/Eeufees Road
– Atterbury Road off-ramp from the N1 in Menlyn
– Lynnwood Road off-ramp from the N1
– John Vorster Drive off-ramp from the N1 in Lyttelton
– Jean Avenue off-ramp from the R28 in Centurion
– Rigel Avenue off-ramp from the N1 in Erasmuskloof
– Corner of University and Lynnwood roads in Hatfield
– Traffic lights along Walker Street in Sunnyside
– The intersection of Lynnwood Road and Hans Strijdom Drive in Garsfontein
– The traffic lights along Nelson Mandela Drive in Sunnyside
– The traffic lights along Simon Vermooten Road in Silverton
– Along Beyers Naude Drive
– Paul Kruger Street in Wonderboompoort
– Duncan Street in Sunnyside
– The R55 in Erasmia
– E’skia Mphahlele Drive near Marabastad
– Burnett and Hilda streets as well as the Atterbury Road off-ramp in the Brooklyn area
– Delfi Avenue and Garsfontein Road in Garsfontein.
Keep these safety tips in mind when driving near the hotspots:
– Always try to remain calm and do not show any signs of aggression.
– Do not threaten or challenge the culprit.
– Keep your hands still and where the hijacker can see them to assure him of your passive intent.
– Do not attempt any form of evasive or counter-action unless you are suitably qualified to do so and you are sure it would be in the good interest and that of your passengers.
– Be observant without being conspicuous and remember what is seen and done.
– You must be able to describe your attackers as accurately as possible, such as their faces, speech, body, build, sex, body movement, clothing and direction in which they left the scene.
– Time and place of incident.
– Description of the area where the incident took place.
– Description of the get-away vehicle, if any, such as the registration number, make, model, colour, and any distinguishable markings of the vehicle.
ALSO READ: Police intercept suspected hijacked vehicle en route to Zim
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
