Cape Town - Streetwise car thieves who stole a hearse abandoned it in the drive-through of a KFC to escape police.
The thieves parked the maroon Toyota Cressida station wagon next to the order window of the KFC outlet in Worcester and strolled away, according to witnesses.
Worcester police spokesperson Captain Lindikhaya Mkhontwana says they received reports of the stolen vehicle at 1.25pm on Tuesday and immediately started pursuing the car.
A source close to the investigation reveals that the stolen hearse, with four suspects in it, drove recklessly and at high speed on the road between Worcester and Robertson.
“They almost crashed into an oncoming truck,” said the source.
He also confirmed that the car belongs to Valley Funerals in Worcester.
“Luckily there were no bodies in the vehicle,” he added.
The suspects managed to evade the cops and then got rid of the stolen vehicle in the drive-through lane of the local KFC.
The K9 Unit, who were also on patrol, tracked down the hearse.
“At the time the car was being chased in town, it had four men on board,” said Mkhontwana.
According to police sources, the men “calmly” walked away from the car and split up before disappearing.
Mkhontwana said that the suspects were still at large.
“The vehicle has been taken into police custody for further investigation,” said Mkhontwana.
SAPS are investigating a case of motor vehicle theft.
Valley Funerals did not respond to Daily Voice queries by Thursday night.
Daily Voice