Wanted hijacker arrested in Kwanobuhle

ONE of Port Elizabeth's most-wanted hijackers was arrested during a car chase through Kwanobuhle in Uitenhage at about 1pm on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police‚ the 25-year-old man‚ who was wanted for three hijackings and an armed robbery‚ is believed to be part of the notorious gang responsible for hijacking VW employees in and around the metro.

The man‚ who police are not naming until he is formally charged in court‚ was arrested following a tip-off on his location.

Police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said that the car chase started in Nomakhwezana Street‚ Kwanobuhle‚ after the VW Polo he was travelling in was forced off the road by police.

"Kwanobuhle police detectives received a tip-off that a wanted car hijacking suspect was driving in a blue leased Volkswagen Polo TSI. Police spotted a vehicle driving on Nomakhwezana Street and managed to stop it‚" he said.

"The driver jumped out of the vehicle and ran away while the passenger … jumped into the driver’s seat and sped-off. A car chase ensued and the vehicle was found abandoned in the nearby Sangxa Street in Kwanobuhle."

Nkohli said that the man was later found by detectives hiding inside a relative’s house in Rarabe Street - about 1km from where the car was abandoned.

Uitenhage cluster commander Brigadier Phillip Salukazana praised members for their work and also urged residents to continue assisting police.

"The police have opened a case of escaping and reckless and negligent driving‚ as it was alleged that the suspect also bumped a police vehicle as he was trying to escape from the scene. We intend to throw the book at the suspect‚ so that our people especially Volkswagen employees‚ who lease vehicles and those owning Volkswagen products could drive in peace‚" Salukazana said.

He is due to appear at Kwanobuhle Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. - Gareth Wilson