Two vehicles, a firearm and over a R125 000 worth of cigarettes were recovered by joint police teamwork after a cigarette delivery vehicle was hijacked in Paterson on Monday.
Two vehicles, a firearm and over a R125 000 worth of cigarettes were recovered by joint police teamwork after a cigarette delivery vehicle was hijacked in Paterson on Monday.
Port Alfred police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said the teamwork was between police from Paterson, Kenton-on-Sea, Port Elizabeth Flying Squad, K9 unit, Port Alfred Highway Patrol and K9 Unit, the SAPS Airwing and the Local Criminal Record Centres.
Govender said police members from the surrounding clusters received information about a vehicle that had been hijacked in Paterson.
It is alleged that while the bakkie was delivering the cigarettes to a shop, two suspects entered the shop and pointed a gun at the drive. They took the keys for the vehicle from him and locked him at the back of his delivery vehicle.
"They drove the vehicle to a place in the location where they off-loaded the cigarettes into two other vehicles. The driver was still locked in the back of the bakkie all this time.
"When police arrived at the scene they noticed a car driving off at high speed. They gave chase and the vehicle lost control and overturned. The occupants fled the scene. A 9mm pistol was found and seized at this scene," said Govender.
She said information was circulated that there was second vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie, that was being sought. The vehicle was allegedly travelling towards Port Alfred on the R72.
Govender said local and provincial traffic officers as well as security companies were informed. A police member of the Port Alfred K9 unit spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the one that was being sought.
"The police called on his off-duty colleague who responded and confirmed that it was the vehicle that was being sought. The vehicle was left abandoned.
"Some of the stolen property was recovered in the vehicle. Total value of recoveries is R125 000 and no arrests have been made. A case of hijacking has been opened for investigation," said Govender.
