Two off-duty Western Cape police band members apprehended a suspected hijacker on their way home after performing at the Quarterly Provincial Sports Day in Pinelands on Wednesday.
Also read: These cars are being hijacked more frequently in South Africa
‘While driving homewards along Spine Road, the members who were travelling in their private car, noticed that a City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officer was involved in a high-speed chase with a suspect speeding in a black Ford Fiesta,’ said SAPS spokesperson, Malcom Potje. ‘The members noticed that the suspect was getting away, placed themselves on-duty and chased down the suspect’s vehicle.’
‘As the suspect entered the Old Faure Road, the members followed in high-speed pursuit and managed to chase him down.’
‘In desperation to evade the members, the suspect lost control hitting the curb of the road and deflated three of the four tyres, preventing him to continue.’
According to Potje, the suspect then got out of the vehicle and fled on foot with sergeants Wayne Snyders and Andrea Sinclair close on his heels.
‘Before the suspect could reach the residential area and disappeared, Snyders caught up with him and apprehended him.’
‘Meanwhile, Sinclair discovered that the object the suspect was throwing away whilst being chased on foot, was a firearm and ammunition. They backtracked on the chase and found the 9mm pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition in the street.’
‘Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle the suspect drove, was stolen during a hijacking in Mitchell’s Plain earlier.’
The 23-year-old suspect faces charges related to the possession of presumably stolen property, possession of a prohibited firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition. He is scheduled to appear in the Kuilsrivier Magistrates’ Court once charged.
‘Police management lauded the members who went the extra mile to apprehend a suspect on multiple charges, thus removing him from society to whom he poses a threat.’
‘The fact that the members put themselves in harm’s way and on duty, is testimony of their commitment to restore the image of our organisation and to restore the trust of community in SAPS.’
Cape {town} Etc discount: Re-gas your car’s air-conditioning for R299. Get it here.
Also read:
Eight arrested after hijacked truck leads POPS to hydroponic dagga lab
Picture: Supplied / SAPS