GQEBERHA – An efficient and effective police officer never ignores his intuition and will follow through his instincts irrespective of the outcome. The hunch paid off for SAPS Motherwell Crime Prevention Unit when they arrested two hijacking suspects early yesterday evening, 09 September 2021 in NU 29.
It is alleged that the members received and acted on information of an alleged suspect that may have been involved in a hijacking earlier in the week. The suspect was at a supermarket in NU9. The suspect was spotted and apprehended. On searching him, vehicle keys, cash and two bank cards not belonging to him was found in his possession. The investigating officer was contacted and it was confirmed that the bank cards does not belong to his complainant.
Immediately instinct kicked in and the officers realised that this could be a new case of hijacking. In recent weeks, cases were reported were motorists were hijacked in NU 28 and NU 29. The members took the suspect (31) and drove to the hotspot in Uitenhage Road in NU 29. As they entered the gravel road, they were stopped by the complainant (43) who informed them that he was hijacked by three men. His bank cards, cellphones and bakkie were taken. It was further alleged that two suspects were with him in the bushes while the third went to withdraw his money.
The CPU members went to the suspect’s house in NU8. A second suspect, aged 30-years-old was arrested at the house. On searching him, four cellphones and a replica firearm was found in his possession.
The bank cards, three cellphones, bakkie keys and the cash belonging to the complainant, were recovered. The bakkie was found parked in Ngoma Street in NU9.
Both suspects were detained on a charge of vehicle hijacking. Investigators are probing whether these suspects could be connected to a spate of hijackings that have taken place in NU 28 and NU 29 in recent weeks. Police are busy searching for the third suspect.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brig Thandiswa Kupiso applauded the actions of the Motherwell CPU members. ‘When performing operational duties, a diligent police official must know his priority crimes and be familiar with the hotspot areas as well as the modus operandi of suspects in order to be a step ahead of criminals. These officers heeded to their calling and acted on their insight. Through their actions, many cases of hijackings committed in Motherwell may be cracked and solved,’ added Brig Kupiso.
Source: South African Police Service