Six suspects allegedly involved in the hijacking of a courier bakkie in West End on Monday, September 19, were arrested and one wounded during the capture.
The driver of a courier company was busy with deliveries at approximately 11:00 when he stopped at a shop in Rensburg Street, West End and alighted. While returning to his vehicle, he was allegedly approached by two men, both armed with firearms. The complainant was shoved into his vehicle and driven to Missionvale where the goods were off-loaded into another vehicle. The tracking device was activated and police immediately alerted.
According to police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, the NMB District Truck-jacking members who were at New Brighton Magistrate’s Court at the time, immediately reacted and met the Flying Squad members at a house in Maqoma Street in New Brighton.
“The house was surrounded. As one suspect ran out with a firearm in his hand, he was pursued by Flying Squad members between the houses. The suspect was shot and sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. It was later established that the ‘firearm’ was a gas gun,” Naidu said.
“The two members from the District Truck-jacking Task Team entered the house and successfully arrested five suspects. All the stolen goods (clothing, cell phones, cell phone accessories, laptops etc.) were recovered. A 9mm pistol and 130 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated. The total value of the recovered goods is approximately R150 000,” she added.
The injured suspect, approximately 32-years old, was taken to hospital for treatment.
The five suspects, aged between 22-38 years, are detained on charges of the possession of stolen property, attempted murder, possession of a prohibited firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition. Additional charges of vehicle hijacking and kidnapping may be added as the investigation unfolds.
The arrested suspects will be appearing in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court today, September 21, on the respective charges.
