Police nab cigarette truck robber
Shootout leads to arrest while one suspect remains at large
POLICE made a breakthrough in a series of cigarette truck hijackings yesterday when they arrested a suspect after a dramatic high speed chase.
The suspects, driving in a stolen silver-grey BMW and white combi, ambushed a British American Tobacco (BAT) truck at the Shell garage in Amalinda after 11am.
The truck was taken to Kathryn Road where they offloaded R180 000 worth of merchandise.
It was the 12th BAT truck to have been hijacked in recent months.
Police responded quickly to yesterday’s hijacking and gave chase. Enroute, they came across the speeding BMW on the Mdantsane Access Road near Gompo.
A Saturday Dispatch vehicle travelling on the road at the time was almost hit by the BMW, which swerved into the oncoming traffic lane.
He gained control of the vehicle and sped off again.
Police vehicles travelling in the opposite direction made a U-turn and set off after the suspects.
The chase, which was joined by Buffalo City Metro law enforcement and traffic officers, ended in Egoli township.
Police fired warning shots and the suspects stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
Resident Pearl Ben said it played out like a movie.
“We just saw the BMW rushing in our street and the two guys jumping from it and running in different directions. The police continued to shoot and I heard four shots fired.”
Mothers from the township said they were only concerned for their children who were playing in the street.
Linda Ben said: “When I heard the gunshots I immediately started looking for my son who had been playing outside. It was really scary.”
One suspect was arrested while his accomplice escaped.
The driver’s firearm, cellphone and some clothing items fell while he was trying to jump over a wall. His firearm was found with 16 rounds of live ammunition.
The items were confiscated, including the BMW key, which the arrested suspect tried to hide inside the police van.
Police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said later in the day, while forensic experts were conducting work on the vehicle, the suspect came out and pointed a firearm.
“He just came out of a house in the township and pointed the gun at residents and the police. The police fired and he ran away. The police and residents gave chase after he dropped his firearm and it was recovered. He then disappeared into the bushes,” said Marais.
The police helicopter was called in to search for the man.
However, by late yesterday the suspect had not been found.
Marais said the suspects would be charged for being in possession of two unlicensed firearms and live ammunition, a stolen vehicle and armed robbery.
“We are pleading with the community that if they get any information to call the police and not try to confront this man themselves,” Marais said. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za