Photo: SAPS
Police: Suspects arrested after hijacking grocery truck carrying R2m in goods
Two suspects were arrested after allegedly hijacking grocery truck on the N2 in Eastern Cape. The vehicle and stolen goods were recovered.
Photo: SAPS
Two suspects were arrested by the Eastern Cape police after allegedly hijacking a truck near Gqeberha in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 5 January.
GROCERY TRUCK HIJACKED
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Gerda Swart said a truck driver and his passenger were travelling in a Nissan UD truck – stocked with groceries – along the N2 near John Tallant Road, Gqeberha.
The truck was on its way to Oudtshoorn, Western Cape when a white Nissan NP200 bakkie sped past it at approximately 3:10. The bakkie passenger allegedly pointed a firearm at the heavy vehicle and ordered the driver to pull off the road.
“The suspects then took control over the truck and the two victims were ordered to climb into the Nissan NP200 bakkie and were later dropped off in Motherwell.
“After a few hours, the security company noticed that the truck driver was not travelling as scheduled and SAPS were roped in to assist,” said Swart.
SUSPECTS NABBED WHILE LOADING VEHICLES
According to the police report, various units participated in a joint operation. The truck was found abandoned at 7:30 along the R75 outside Kariega with some of the load missing.
By 9:00, a large quantity of groceries was found on a farm where the truck was abandoned. Two vehicles were also found with the suspected stolen property loaded inside.
“The male driver, 34, of the VW Caddy and a second male suspect, 31, were arrested on the scene on charges ranging from hijacking to possession of suspected stolen property,” said the police spokesperson.
The recovered goods are worth an estimated R2.2 million.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Kariega Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 7 January and more arrests are expected to follow.
The Eastern Cape Organised Crime Unit in Gqeberha is working on further leads.
