Cape Town recover hijacked truck and prevent robberies through public tip-offs

A series of tip-offs led to multiple arrests across Cape Town this week, including the recovery of a hijacked truck loaded with alcohol valued at more than R1.6 million, City enforcement services said.

Metro Police officers received information on Wednesday, 28 January, about the location of a hijacked truck in Endlovini, Khayelitsha. The vehicle had been hijacked earlier that morning in Grabouw by 10 suspects.

When officers arrived at the scene, suspects were busy offloading alcohol, but most fled on spotting the police. Two men, aged 40 and 36, were apprehended following a foot chase and arrested for possession of a hijacked vehicle, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest. They were taken to South African Police Service Harare SAPS.

The recovered vehicle was a brand new 14-ton Isuzu truck. The alcohol, not all of which was recovered, was valued at R1 628 118 and had been transported from Cape Town to Hermanus.

In a separate incident on Thursday, 29 January, neighbourhood safety officers in Bonteheuwel responded to a tip-off about a youngster allegedly planning to rob learners outside a primary school. Officers spotted a group of youths loitering near the school and one attempted to flee. He was caught in possession of an imitation firearm, arrested and taken to Bishop Lavis SAPS.

Law Enforcement officers also arrested five men after receiving reports that they were driving around Gugulethu, allegedly robbing residents at gunpoint. The vehicle and a modified firearm were confiscated and the suspects were taken to Gugulethu SAPS for further investigation.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said tip-offs remain a critical tool in combating crime.

“Tip-offs are a crucial, intelligence-driven tool for combating crime and in the one instance, prevented it from taking place. All three of these incident tip-offs led to successful arrests. More than that, it also disrupts organised crime syndicates and helps us address the issues that plague our neighbourhoods,” he said.

This week, City of Cape Town enforcement services recorded hundreds of arrests. Metro Police officers made 124 arrests, while Law Enforcement officers made 148 arrests and issued 10 315 notices.

Earlier on Sunday morning, 2 February, LEAP officers came under attack in Lavender Hill when a man fired two shots through the windscreen of a patrol vehicle. Officers returned fire and the suspect was hit. He was taken to hospital, while the officers were not injured.

Traffic officers recorded 62 arrests, including 50 for driving under the influence of alcohol, six for reckless or negligent driving and six for other offences. A total of 31 450 offences were recorded, 179 public transport vehicles were impounded and 1 700 warrants of arrest were executed.

Over the past weekend, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre received 1 789 calls for assistance. Of these, 130 were assault-related cases, 68 domestic violence incidents and 41 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.

The public has been urged to report emergencies or suspicious criminal activity to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700, and to provide detailed information such as the time, exact address and a brief description to assist enforcement services to respond swiftly.

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Cape Argus