Police rescue kidnap victim after dramatic car chase

An intense police operation led to the arrest of a gang of six kidnappers and the dramatic rescue of their victim yesterday.

According to police, the gang led the victim into a trap but the man managed to escape by driving away, leading to a highspeed chase through the city, which ended when the victim crashed his car in Alexandra Park.

“He was then [allegedly] taken at gunpoint by four suspects, who forced him into a white Mercedes-Benz [double-cab],” said uMgungundlovu District acting police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Panchael Singh.

“The kidnappers called a family member of the victim demanding a ransom of over R100 000, threatening that they would kill him. They then took him into a well-established bed and breakfast, where he was assaulted and robbed of his cash of about R4 000,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, a police dog unit patrol came across the accident scene and began to investigate the circumstances, said Singh.

“Information received led the police to a house in Scottsville, where one suspect was arrested. Further investigation led the police to Howick, where the suspects with the white Mercedes double-cab had taken the victim. They had also visited a few spaza shops where they tried to extort money from shop owners,” Singh added.

“The operational teams took up positions and informers spotted the suspects’ vehicle, which was in the Langewag area of Howick West.

“All exits were blocked off and, when it was safe to do so, the K-9 unit moved in tactically — together with other roleplayers.”

“The six suspects were disarmed and arrested while the victim, who had sustained injuries, was freed. The vehicle was also seized and cash was recovered.

“The ransom that the kidnapping suspects had allegedly demanded had not been paid,” Singh added.

The six have been charged with kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery and are expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week.