South Africa

Metro police arrest 3 suspects, recover 5 stolen vehicles

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) task team arrested three suspects on Saturday, November 9 and recovered five vehicles in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

Two of the five hijacked vehicles had been used in the commission of a crime.

The task team responded to a tip-off regarding a Toyota Avanza that was stolen in Soshanguve Block JJ.

TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the team located the vehicle in Winterveldt with two suspects inside.

Mahamba said the two abandoned the vehicle and ran away, but were apprehended.

“They were both arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.

“On the same day, the members received a complaint about a Mercedes-Benz vehicle that was hijacked on Buitekant Street in Soshanguve,” said Mahamba.

He said the driver reported that four armed suspects in a white Renault Kwid hijacked and forced him into the back seat of his vehicle and then drove off.

“The victim managed to escape but the suspects fired two shots at him as he fled but, fortunately, he was unharmed.

“The officers pursued the vehicle and discovered the tracking device that was removed and thrown along Molefe Makinta Highway and Soutpan Road.”

Mahamba said the officers didn’t give up and after an extensive search, found the vehicle abandoned in the bushes in Tswaing.

“During the third incident, the same TMPD task team unit officers responded to a theft of a Toyota Venture in Mabopane Block X.

With the assistance of a tracking company, they located the vehicle along Hebron Road.

“As they approached, the officers noticed that the Venture was being towed by a Nissan bakkie escorted by an Audi A3,” he said.

Mahamba said the officers intercepted the convoy and arrested one suspect in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

He said the other seven occupants of the vehicles fled on foot.

“The suspect was arrested for vehicle theft and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

“We remain vigilant and committed to maintaining community safety.”

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