Four suspected robbers were arrested and a black BMW X5 seized, following a reported robbery and hijacking of a courier vehicle at 12:30 on Friday, 7 January 2022.
The driver and crew were delivering goods in the vicinity of Impala mine, Boitekong, when a black BMWX5 forced them off the road and held them at gunpoint. They were forced into the BMW and blind-folded. One of the suspects drove the courier bakkie and stopped about a kilometre further, where the suspects off-loaded the goods inside the BMW and locked the two victims in the back of the courier van and sped-off from the scene.
Community members heard the employees banging on the back door and came to their rescue. Captain Sam Tselanyane from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Communication was informed, who on his part, informed the Rustenburg Communication officer, Captain Augoustides. She immediately circulated the information to members on the ground in and around Rustenburg. Phokeng Vispol members immediately responded and found the abandoned courier vehicle in Meriting.
The suspects proceeded to Mosenthal, where they started to throw the courier parcels from the vehicle, as well as the registration plate, which was fitted to the vehicle at the time of the robbery. Community members in Mosenthal witnessed as the robbers got rid of their loot and informed SAPS Tactical Response Team members, who immediately gave chase.
The Black BMW X5 was found next to the road near Lekgalong Village. Four suspects were arrested on the scene, whilst busy getting rid of more of the robbed loot.
Cases of hijacking and possession of suspected stolen property were registered in Phokeng and Bethanie police stations respectively. A toy gun, signal jammer, as well as the following goods, estimated to the value of more than R90 000.00, were seized and handed in at Bethanie SAPS:
1 x box of Huawei mobile phones
1 x box of MTN mobile phones
1 x CAT smart phone
Huawei rooters x 4,
Bluetooth device
Baby carrier belt
Ladies clothing and shoes to the value of R13 000, 00
The suspects, aged between 30 and 43, will appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 10 January 2022. The police cannot rule the possibility out of linking the suspects to other cases.
Brigadier Reginah Ntoagae has congratulated all officers and members involved and cautioned that those who commit crime will definitely be dealt with affectively.
Source: South African Police Service