Five suspects, some clad in Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) uniform, have been arrested shortly after they hijacked a truck loaded with solar batteries worth an estimated R5 million on R25 Modderfontein Road in Sebenza, Ekurhuleni.
The suspects, aged between 50 and 69, were caught red-handed in a dramatic takedown that followed a tip-off received by Police Counter Intelligence.
Authorities had been monitoring the suspects who were reportedly planning a hijacking in Ekurhuleni.
Four of the suspects were impersonating law enforcement – two wearing full Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department uniforms and another two donning SAPS reflector jackets.
The gang had also kidnapped the truck driver, who was rescued during the swift operation.
The tactical bust was carried out by a combined team from the SAPS Tactical Response Team, Anti-Gang Unit, DPCI Gauteng Tracking Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect.
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Their coordinated surveillance and response brought the criminals to a screeching halt shortly after the hijacking occurred.
Two vehicles used in the crime – a Hyundai Accent and a Hyundai iX35 – were seized at the scene.
The suspects now face multiple charges, including truck hijacking, kidnapping, possession of suspected stolen goods, and impersonating police officers.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the team’s sharp execution: “This is a big breakthrough, especially since we’ve been battling cases where hijackers pretend to be cops. These arrests will definitely help us connect the dots on other crimes.”
The suspects are set to be profiled to determine if they’re linked to other violent crimes.
Authorities are also investigating how they managed to obtain official police gear.
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