Suspected ringleader of hijacking gang arrested

Police say they have made a huge breakthrough with the arrest of a suspect believed to be the ringleader of a gang responsible for hijackings in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg.

They said a 50-year-old man had been arrested on Saturday in Springs for possession of suspected hijacked and stolen vehicles.

“Police and Tracker Unit were following up on information of a hijacked vehicle. The information led the investigators to a house where the hijacked vehicle was recovered. Police also discovered that the house was used as a chop-shop as other stripped cars and various car parts were found in the yard and inside the house.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the owner of the house also owns a ‘scrapyard’ in Springs. That is where the police found four more cars that were reported stolen in Ekurhuleni and other cars that had been tampered with‚” police said‚ adding that they hoped to make more arrests soon.

“The arrested suspect is expected to appear at Springs Magistrate’s Court soon.”