Beware of hitchhikers, bogus cops

Motorists should avoid picking up hitchhikers and should request police officers to identify themselves should they be stopped after several hijackings were recently reported in Pretoria.

Four cases of hijacking were reported between Sunday and Monday near Hammanskraal, with one motorist being robbed by bogus police officers.

On Sunday night, a white Volkswagen Golf GTI in Ramotse followed a man travelling from Polokwane to Pretoria on the R101. The Golf flashed its lights at the man, who initially did not stop, police spokesperson Constable Herman Moremi said.

“After a few minutes, the Golf flashed police blue lights and the man stopped. A man not wearing a uniform, but a police bulletproof vest, approached him and asked for his licence,” Moremi said.

Two unknown armed men also approached the man and assaulted him while demanding his wallet. The hijackers managed to get into the car with the man and left him in Renstown, Hammanskraal, Moremi said.

“They fled with his car, laptop, clothes and an undisclosed amount of cash.”

Moremi urged motorists to keep their doors and windows locked and to slightly open the window should a police vehicle stop them. “Ask the officer to identify himself to avoid being robbed by a bogus police officer. Avoid driving alone at night and contact the police to assist you.”

Motorists using the R55 near Olievenhoutbosch are advised to avoid hitchhikers after a man was hijacked when he picked up two women on Sunday. The duo pretended to be stranded, police spokesperson Constable Tumisang Moloto said.

“The victim only remembers waking up the following day at Akasia Hospital.

“He could only remember picking up the two women the previous night.

“We appeal to motorists to be vigilant and avoid giving lifts to strangers.

“A case of carjacking is being investigated,” Moloto said.