The Bloemfontein Police Flying Squad busted three suspected vehicle thieves in connection with the theft of two high-end vehicles, days apart.
Police discovered a Toyota VX Cruiser partly dismantled in a private residence. PHOTO: Supplied

BLOEMFONTEIN – Three suspected members of a car theft syndicate who were arrested by the Bloemfontein Flying Squad in connection with the theft of two high-end vehicles, are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court today – Monday 4 May. The vehicles include a Toyota VX Cruiser and a VW Polo Vivo. The suspects, aged between 23 and 34, include two foreign nationals. The suspects were arrested on Wednesday 29 April and Saturday 2 May, respectively.

Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial police spokesperson, said the three suspects face charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. He said two foreigners were arrested while stripping a Toyota VX Cruiser in the backyard of a private residence in Phahameng, Bloemfontein. Kareli said members of the Flying Squad cornered the suspect driving the Polo on the R30 road, en route to the Brandfort Toll Plaza.

The Bloemfontein Police Flying Squad arrested three suspected car thieves and recovered two luxury cars.
The stolen Toyota VX Cruiser that police recovered in the backyard of a private residence in Phahameng.

According to Kareli, the Toyota VX Cruiser with Northern Cape registration had been reported stolen from a mall parking lot in Bayswater, and the Polo in the Bainsvlei area.

The Bloemfontein Police Flying Squad arrested three suspected car thieves and recovered two luxury cars.
A photo showing the damaged interior of the Polo.

“Members of the Bloemfontein Flying Squad, working in close collaboration with private security partners, received a high-priority tip-off regarding a Toyota VX Cruiser. Upon tactically accessing the yard in Phahameng, members discovered the vehicle being actively dismantled. Various tools and equipment believed to have been used in the commission of the crime were also confiscated. Two male foreign nationals found at the scene were arrested,” said Kareli.

The Bloemfontein Police Flying Squad arrested three suspected car thieves and recovered two luxury cars.
Police recovered the Polo after the suspect had already swapped the registration plates

He said the seized tools and the recovered vehicle had been processed for further investigation.

Kareli said the suspect arrested in connection with the theft of the Polo had already swapped the registration plates of the car. The recovery of the two vehicles forms part of the ongoing multidisciplinary E2 Project promoting crime-prevention in the Free State.

You need to be Logged In to leave a comment.

Gift this article