Men in court for truck hijacking and theft worth R1.5m
ALEXANDRA - Two arrested members of a gang that hijacked and robbed a truck with goods worth R1.5 million rand in Midrand on 4 May last year, were denied bail and remanded in custody by the Alexandra Magistrates' Court.
Two arrested members of a gang that allegedly hijacked and robbed a truck with goods worth R1.5 million in Midrand on 4 May last year, were denied bail and remanded in custody by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
The other suspects, unknown in number, escaped and are wanted by the police.
The accused will reappear in court after the conclusion of the investigation.
The court heard that at 7.45am on the day, the gang, some of whom allegedly wore Metro police uniforms and travelling in a BMW and VW Golf, stopped the truck in Glen Austin in Midrand. The truck was travelling from Kempton Park and loaded with cellphone parts for distribution in Johannesburg.
After stopping it, some gang members boarded the truck and ordered the crew to drive in the direction of Blue Hills where the suspects dropped them off.
Meanwhile, police who had been alerted to the impending robbery, arrived after the truck had left but caught up with the two vehicles used by the hijackers. A chase ensued and police followed the VW Golf with the two accused and cornered them at Linbro Park. The accused exited the vehicle and tried to flee on foot. One allegedly threw away an AK47. Both were apprehended.
Their vehicle was traced and allegedly found to have been stolen in Pretoria three days before the robbery. The gun was sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in other robberies.
The truck and goods were, however, not found.
