Johannesburg metro police arrested a suspected hijack kingpin in Soweto on the weekend who has been linked to 19 hijackings and armed robberies.
Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said on Monday that two other men were also arrested, while four stolen vehicles and two shotguns were recovered.
Metro policemen received a call that a white Hilux was being hijacked in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Saturday night. The police followed up and found the vehicle abandoned — and then received another call of a green Audi being hijacked.
Shortly after receiving the second call, the officers found the Audi, also abandoned, and saw three people speeding away in another stolen car, a white Jetta.
The police gave chase and arrested all three of occupants.
”One of them is a suspected kingpin hijacker and is connected to 19 hijackings and armed robberies in Soweto,” said Minnaar.
The police found two shotguns at the suspects’ houses and fourth stolen vehicle, a blue Polo, near one of the houses.
The three men will appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday. — Sapa