Police in Makapanstad arrested a 26-year-old, Lucas Baloyi alleged to be a car hijacker and has appeared before Moretele Magistrate’s court on Monday, 7 January 2019.
The suspect’s court appearance emanate from an incident that took place on Friday, 4 January 2019 on the road between Mathibestad and Makapanstad. Allegedly the victims who are brothers, were driving a white Hyundai bakkie when they were forced off the road by a silver-grey Mazda 3 with five male occupants.
According to information available at this stage, two of the suspects allegedly alighted their vehicle and pointed the victims with firearms and demanded money. It is further alleged that three of the suspects followed them with the said vehicle and drove into the bushes. The victims were allegedly then forced inside the vehicle belonging to the suspects and both vehicles drove in different directions.
The police acted swiftly upon receiving information from the community at Dertig, which is located on the outskirts of Makapanstad and chased the suspects’ vehicle until it crashed into a street corner. A 26-year-old suspect was apprehended and the police also managed to recover two firearms, ammunition and three cell phones. Furthermore, a silver-grey Mazda 3 that was used by the suspects was also recovered in the bushes not far from the scene.
The suspects are allegedly linked with an earlier incident of attempted murder which took place on the same day where the victim was shot at on the upper body at the premises of his shop at Dertig. The apprehended suspect was charged with car hijacking, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen properties as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The other four suspects managed to flee the scene and are still at large. The accused was remanded in custody and is expected to appear again at the same court on Monday, 14 January 2019, investigation continues.
The Cluster Commander of Brits, Major General Modisagaarekwe Mosimanegape lauded the police for their prompt response in ensuring that criminals are deprived of firearms that are used in criminal activities. He further expressed his gratitude to the community for assisting with information that lead to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the said items.
