Members of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police. (Photo: Facebook/ Tshwane Metro Police)
The Tshwane Metro Police’s highway unit arrested two men on Wednesday who they believe were posing as police officers and were involved in a truck hijacking and kidnapping.
According to the police, the suspects were caught after officers were approached during a routine patrol on the R21 by a member of a truck crew who managed to escape from a hijacking attempt.
The crew member told officers three men dressed in Ekurhuleni Metro Police uniforms who were driving a white Toyota Corolla with blue lights, forced their truck to stop, hijacked the truck and then kidnapped a truck driver.
Vehicles of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police. (Photo: Facebook/ Tshwane Metro Police)
Additional police were called and when the suspects noticed the officers, they fled. They left the truck behind, but sped away with the driver in the Corolla. This led to a high speed chase on the R21.
The chase came to an end near Nellmapius Drive when the suspects lost control of their vehicle and it rolled.
During the investigation, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police and police uniforms, as well as two unlicensed firearms and ammunition were found in their possession.
“One suspect escaped on foot, but two were arrested and the kidnapped driver was rescued unharmed,” the metro said.
The suspects now face charges of, among other things, truck hijacking, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of law enforcement uniforms and impersonating police officers.
Commissioner YCR Faro, the Metropolitan Police Chief of Police, praised the officers for their “quick response, courage and commitment to ensure public safety and bring the suspects to justice”.