A brave ‘vehicle body workshop’ manager was determined to get a client’s vehicle back after it was stolen outside their premises on Friday morning, 30 April 2021 in Kempston Road in Sidwell.
The drama unfolded at about 07:30 when the suspect (36) entered the workshop holding a hockey stick in his hand. He was approached by the supervisor and the workshop manager as no one was allowed in the workshop. The suspect became arrogant and abusive and was chased off the premises.
At the same time, a client arrived to pick up his white Toyota Fortuner and was inspecting his vehicle outside. The supervisor went with him to his vehicle. The suspect came back, armed this time with a firearm. He went into the office and took all the clients keys. He searched through them until he found the Fortuner’s keys. He jumped into the vehicle and drove off.
The workshop manager got into his vehicle and chased after the suspect. He followed the vehicle to Bridgemead.
By this time, all police vehicles were alerted and assisted in the chase. The K9 unit members managed to stop the vehicle in Clarkson Street in Bridgemead. The suspect was arrested and it was later established that the firearm was a toy gun. The keys and the hockey stick were found in the vehicle.
He is detained on charges of business robbery and theft of motor vehicle. He will appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 3 May 2021.
