Cape Town - Nineteen suspected hijackers are expected to appear in court on Friday for allegedly attacking a truck with 1155 boxes of frozen chicken on Ottery Road in Wynberg on Wednesday.
The estimated value of the stolen boxes was R600 000.
Officers attached to Operation Lockdown II with a tracking company followed information about the whereabouts of the vehicle with the cargo, and at about 5.30pm, they pounced on 19 suspects loading pallets containing chicken onto seven light delivery vehicles on Cochrane Avenue in Epping.
“The 19 suspects, aged between 25 and 50, were, henceforth, arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. A firearm with ammunition was also found on one of the suspects. It was sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was utilised in the commission of a crime. Another vehicle, a sedan, was also found on the scene. Meanwhile, the hijacked truck was found abandoned in Bellville,” said police spokesperson Novela Potelwa.
The nine vehicles have been impounded as part of the investigation.
“As investigations into the incident continue, the possibility of the suspects facing additional charges cannot be ruled out. The owner of the truck and consignment, a businessman, has since identified the items seized. The effort of all parties involved is commended by provincial SAPS management,” she said.
Cape Times