Crime intelligence driven operation leads to apprehension of alleged truck hijacking suspect

Crime intelligence driven operation leads to apprehension of alleged truck hijacking suspect
Crime intelligence driven operation leads to apprehension of alleged truck hijacking suspect. Image source: SAPS

A team effort by the Provincial and Pudimoe Crime Intelligence Units as well as Schweizer-Reneke Police resulted in the arrest of a suspect, aged 25, on Thursday, 30 November 2023. The suspect was charged for possession of suspected stolen goods and will appear before the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 04 December 2023.

The suspect was arrested following an incident wherein a truck was hijacked in Ottosdal on Wednesday evening, 29 November 2023. Reports suggest that the 37-year-old driver was driving towards Madibogo Village to deliver maize meal in a white Fuso truck, when a white Opel Astra vehicle overtook it and flashed lights at the driver to pull over. Moreover, shots were allegedly fired at the truck, forcing the driver to stop between Delareyville and Ottosdal (R507 road). The driver then escaped into a nearby maize field. The suspects, who were allegedly dressed in police uniform, drove off with the truck, which was recovered a short while later on the same road not far from Ottosdal.

Information obtained by Crime Intelligence, led the team to Schweizer-Reneke where a white Opel Astra was observed and intercepted. The police ultimately searched the vehicle and found a money box and cellular phone, believed to be the property of the truck driver that was hijacked earlier in Ottosdal. The driver was immediately arrested and the vehicle seized.

In Klipgat in the Bojanala Platimum Sub- District 1, the local Detectives and Visible Policing members, conducted a crime intelligence driven operation on Wednesday, 29 November 2023, to operationalise information received. At about 12:00, the team discovered a white Volkswagen Polo with some parts removed and hidden in a bushy area. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Polo was stolen during a house robbery at Soshanguve in the early hours of the same day. No suspect was arrested. Investigations are continuing.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded all members of the teams for their tireless efforts. He also thanked the community for being the eyes and ears of the police.

SAPS Newsroom