Police: Three alleged hijackers arrested 30 minutes after taking e-hailing vehicle

The Eastern Cape police arrested suspected hijackers within half an hour of them allegedly taking the vehicle of an e-hailing driver in Kuyga on Wednesday night, 25 May.

POLICE NAB ALLEGED HIJACKERS AFTER CHASE

The suspects reportedly posed as clients. While the 44-year-old driver was driving with the three occupants in Missionvale Road, Kuyga, one of them allegedly pulled out a gun and hit the victim’s head with it before taking his belongings and his green Renault Kwid.

“At about 19:00, while members were patrolling the borders of Kwazakhele precinct in search of the vehicle, they spotted a green Renault Kwid driving recklessly on the R75 Uitenhage Road,” said South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu.

The driver ignored all the police’s attempts to stop the vehicle and a high-speed chase ensued. The driver ignored several traffic lights and even drove over a traffic circle in Moduka Street before crashing into a white Toyota Tazz and overturning.

The three suspects then tried to run from the police on foot but they didn’t get far before the Kwazakhele Vispol Task Team and Gqeberha Flying Squad apprehended them.

The damaged vehicle was impounded as part of the investigation and a replica firearm and the victim’s cellphone were found inside it.

The suspects – aged 22, 26 and 35 – were charged with possession of a hijacked vehicle and reckless and negligent driving. They are due in court imminently.

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