Three arrested after getaway car crashes

THREE suspected burglars were arrested moments after crashing their getaway car into a wall in Despatch yesterday.

Police said the three were caught shortly after allegedly breaking into a house in Freesia Street.

Police are investigating possible links to other burglaries in the Port Elizabeth area.

Shortly after the burglary, with police in hot pursuit, the car crashed into the perimeter wall in Holland Street when the driver lost control, police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said.

“A passer-by alerted police to a burglary at about 11am, giving a detailed description of the car used by the burglars,” he said.

“While responding, police passed the getaway car and gave chase down Despatch’s Main Street. Shortly afterwards, the car crashed.”

Nkohli said four men inside the vehicle absconded after the crash.

Three of them were arrested later.

“The three were found running away from the scene and arrested,” he said.

“A plasma television set stolen from the house was found inside the car.”

The car was a rental vehicle.

“The modus [operandi] is very similar to other crimes across Port Elizabeth,” Nkohli said.

“For this reason, we are trying to establish whether they are linked to a larger group operating in the Bay.”

The men, all from Port Elizabeth and aged between 22 and 24, are due to appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on Monday for possession of stolen property and burglary.