One of the criminals suspected of smuggling stolen bakkies and trucks into neighbouring countries has been arrested in Gauteng. MEMBER OF STOLEN BAKKIES SMUGGLING GANG FOUND The Hawks received information about criminals who allegedly smuggle stolen vehicles into neighbouring countries. But this information led to agricultural premises in Bapsfontein, a farming town in Ekurhuleni, where…
One of the criminals suspected of smuggling stolen bakkies and trucks into neighbouring countries has been arrested in Gauteng.
MEMBER OF STOLEN BAKKIES SMUGGLING GANG FOUND
The Hawks received information about criminals who allegedly smuggle stolen vehicles into neighbouring countries.
But this information led to agricultural premises in Bapsfontein, a farming town in Ekurhuleni, where a man driving a Ford Ranger bakkie was detected, said spokesperson Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo.
A multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section made its way to the premises last Friday. They were accompanied by Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security, GTP Saturation Unit, Vision Tactical SIU and the Insurance Crime Bureau.
But upon their arrival, the man attempted to evade arrest as soon as he spotted the police. He was however intercepted, said Nxumalo.
“An investigation was conducted which led to the recovery of two trucks. One was hijacked in Villiers [in the Free State] this year. The second one was hijacked in Fochville, Gauteng, in July 2021.”Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo
The man was found with vehicles that were previously hijacked in different parts of the country.
Numerous vehicle registration documents, false registration plates and cellphones were also found and confiscated by the multidisciplinary team.
The Ford Ranger bakkie which the suspect was discovered driving, was actually stolen from Durban Central in July 2021.
Investigations found on Monday that a Toyota Hilux bakkie was recovered by the team. They were assisted by the Gauteng South African Police Service Highway Patrol in Pretoria.
“It was stolen at Edenvale in June this year,” said Nxumalo.
