Blue light hijacker shot and killed

Photo: SAPS

Blue light hijacker shot and killed during a shootout with police

Police said a man believed to be responsible for “blue lights hijacking” was shot and killed during a shootout with police in Springs.

Blue light hijacker shot and killed

Photo: SAPS

A man believed to be responsible for “blue lights hijacking” was shot and killed during a shootout with police in Springs on Friday.

ANOTHER BLUE LIGHT HIJACKER WAS ARRESTED

According to Captain Mavela Masondo, police spokesperson a second man was arrested, and two unlicensed firearms recovered.

“Police have been working on information about the suspects who are responsible for a series of hijackings using blue lights on the roads linking Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces.”

He said police activated a team comprising Gauteng Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Tactical Response Team Tshwane, Tracker Connect, Fidelity Specialised Services, Badboyz Security, Vision Tactical, and Community Active Protection (CAP) to search and arrest the suspects.

ALSO READ: Hijackers are using the “blue light” method amongst other new tricks

“The team continuously monitored and kept observation on the R42, R50, R25, and N12 around Bapsfontein, Delmas and Bronkhorstpruit until they spotted suspects traveling towards Johannesburg with a possible hijacked vehicle.”

Masondo said the team intercepted the suspects who started to shoot at police, and a shootout ensued.

“One suspect was fatally shot while the second suspect was arrested. It was established that the suspects had just hijacked a motorist who was driving a Toyota Hilux on the R42.”

Further investigation revealed that the two cars used by the suspects, a Toyota Fortuner and double cab Toyota Hilux were reported stolen.

Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner of the police Major General Tommy Mthombeni applauded the team that worked with zeal and diligence to ensure that the gang using blue lights to hijack vehicles are hunted down and arrested.

ALSO READ: Blue light bandits: Trio arrested after a high-speed chase and shootout

Meanwhile, police in Pretoria arrested three suspects in April this year between the ages of 28 and 36 following a high-speed chase and gun battle in Rama City near Ga-Ranwuka.

According to a statement from the Hawks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) was allegedly spurred to action by a tip-off about a white Volkswagen Polo that was abusing blue lights in the Pretoria North area.