Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has commended the vigilance of the Vlakfontein community following the arrest of two suspects for possession of a hijacked vehicle and unlicensed firearms on Saturday, 13 April.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said: “We are grateful for the swift action taken by the community who assisted an off-duty JMPD officer in apprehending the suspects. Their involvement proved instrumental in recovering the stolen vehicle and potentially preventing further criminal activity.”
Fihla elaborated that JMPD Tactical Response Unit (TRU) officers responded to a call for assistance from the off-duty officer in Vlakfontein along Golden Highway. Upon arrival, they found the officer with members of Capital Air Tracking Company surrounded by a large group from the community who had assisted in the recovery of a hijacked Nissan NP200 and arrest of two male suspects.
A plastic bag containing four firearms believed to be in their possession was found inside the vehicle.
It is alleged that three of the firearms belonged to the suspects, while the fourth was stolen from the victim during the hijacking. The arrested suspects are currently detained at Lenasia South SAPS facing charges of possession of a hijacked motor vehicle and unlicensed firearms. They are expected to appear in court soon. The recovered vehicle has been impounded at the SAPS Lenasia pound.
