Quick police response leads to arrest after baby nearly abducted in carjacking

A dramatic carjacking incident unfolded in Cape Town on Tuesday night, where a baby was nearly abducted from a vehicle.

Just 45 minutes after the crime, police arrested a suspect, highlighting the swift response of law enforcement.

The harrowing event occurred around 7.45pm in Sydney Street, near the Good Hope Centre, when three armed men ambushed a family seated inside a black Mercedes Benz, which contained an eight-month-old baby securely strapped in a car seat.

According to the police, four adults and were seated inside a black Mercedes Benz, with an eight-month-old baby in a car seat, when they were ambushed at gunpoint by three men, who nearly drove off with the baby still in the car. 

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said, “Cape Town Central police registered a carjacking case following an incident on Tuesday, February 3, at 19:45 in Sydney Street, Cape Town

“According to reports the complainant was at the mentioned address,  sitting inside his vehicle a black Mercedes Benz, there were also four adults as well as a 8-month-old baby in the vehicle. 

“Three suspects positively armed with firearms approached the vehicle and pointed it at the occupants instructing them to hand over their property and to exit the vehicle. 

“Once they all exited the vehicle the suspects climbed into the vehicle. The baby was still in the vehicle sitting in a baby car seat. 

“The father of the baby confronted the suspects and asked them to give his child to him. 

“The baby was removed from the car by the suspects and placed on the pavement in the baby car seat.?

The tracker company located the vehicle in Albion Close, Lentegeur in Mitchells Plain and arrested a 41-year-old suspect at 8.30pm - just 45 minutes after the crime.

Van Wyk added: “The suspects then drove off in an unknown direction. The tracker company was contacted and at about 8.30pm Metro police discovered the vehicle in Albion Close, Lentegeur. The vehicle was parked and there was one suspect inside the vehicle. A 41-year-old suspect was arrested. No firearms were found in the vehicle. The vehicle was booked in as an exhibit and further processing. The suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court once charged.”

Attempts to get in contact with the baby’s family were unsuccessful.

Police are appealing to anyone with further information about this incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

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Cape Argus