Police swoop on gang of hijackers on N3 Freeway

The police have arrested a gang of seven alleged hijacking suspects, who have targeted courier vans in recent weeks, on the N3 freeway on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) said a joint operational police and security team had swooped on the seven suspects, aged between 28 and 50, after receiving information that they were driving on the N3 highway.

The Hawks’ Tactical Operational Management Section, MDOC CI CIT TEAM, Tracker Connect assisted by SAPS Germiston Flying Squad, EMPD, Badboys Security, GTP Saturation, ICB Insurance Crime Bureau, CPS and Fox Security tracked down the suspects on the N3 freeway.

He said the team had received information that the alleged hijacking suspects who had been targeting courier vans using a VW Polo and a Nissan Almera, in the Gauteng, were driving on the N3 highway.

“Information was operationalised and the team proceeded to the highway where they discovered that the suspects had allegedly hijacked a Toyota Quantum on the N3 highway, Germiston,” he said.

“The hijacked vehicle was spotted on the N3 in Alberton near the Heidelberg off ramp, escorted by two vehicles. All vehicles were intercepted and the team rescued the minibus taxi driver and his passenger who were allegedly held hostage,” he said.

Police investigation may link suspects to further crimes

He said that police had apprehended seven suspects and an investigation had linked a VW Polo to a robbery case where a courier van was robbed in Mondeor during the month of October 2021. The suspects are facing a slew of hijacking and kidnapping charges.

“All suspects will be charged with carjacking, possession of suspected stolen property and kidnapping and will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

He said that the police investigation to link the seven suspects to other robbery cases was continuing.