suspect vehicle

An alleged kingpin behind a syndicate that tramnsports stolen vehicles across the border was nabbed at a shopping mall in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Images: SAPS.

Suspected kingpin behind vehicle crime cross-border syndicate arrested

A suspect who is believed to be a kingpin in the vehicle crime cross-border syndicate was caught red-handed with stolen luxury cars.

suspect vehicle

An alleged kingpin behind a syndicate that tramnsports stolen vehicles across the border was nabbed at a shopping mall in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Images: SAPS.

Police have arrested a suspect believed to be a kingpin in the theft and hijacking of high-calibre vehicles that are taken to neighbouring countries.

The suspect was found with stolen vehicles, including a Ford Ranger, a Mercedes Benz C Class, and a Toyota Fortuner GD-6.

SUSPECT BEHIND VEHICLE CRIME CROSS-BORDER SYNDICATE ARRESTED

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, Colonel Mavela Masondo, said on Thursday, 3 February 2023, police received information that the suspect would be at one of the shopping malls in Johannesburg, where he usually operates.

A team of various law enforcement agencies was then mobilised to intercept the suspect.

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Masondo said the team kept close observation and spotted the man arriving at a shopping mall, driving a Grey Mercedes Benz that he parked in the basement. He then went to a White Ford Ranger parked in the basement and drove off. Then, the team pounced on the suspect as he was about to exit the mall.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the Ford Ranger was robbed from the owner in Alexandra and that the Mercedes Benz was hijacked in the Moffat View area.

“Further investigation led the team to the suspect’s place of residence, where a white Toyota Fortuner that was tampered with was recovered. Police also seized multiple vehicle registration documents and passports,” the spokesperson said.

suspect vehicle
One of the vehicles the alleged kingpin was driving. Image: SAPS.

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Furthermore, Masondo said the suspect was arrested and charged with possessing suspected stolen/hijacked vehicles. He is expected to appear at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 6 February 2023. More suspects might be arrested pending further investigation.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela applauded the team that worked so hard to locate and arrest the suspect.

Mawela also ordered the police to conduct a thorough investigation and profile the man as he might be part of a bigger syndicate.

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