Police intercept stolen Toyota Fortuner on N4 route to Mozambique, three arrested
FALSE IDENTIFICATION
The stolen white Toyota Fortuner that was intercepted by police on the N4 on-ramp near Vosman, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
Image: SAPS
THREE suspects were arrested after a multi-agency police operation intercepted a stolen Toyota Fortuner on the N4 near Vosman, Mpumalanga. The vehicle, reportedly enroute to Mozambique, had been reported stolen in North West Province and was fitted with false identification.
The suspects aged between 28 and 32 were arrested on Monday, at about 5 pm after authorities received information about suspects allegedly travelling in a stolen vehicle with Gauteng registration plates.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the information was received from a Witbank detective who indicated that the vehicle was travelling from Pretoria to Mozambique via Vosman.
“A multidisciplinary team comprising Witbank Detectives, Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team, Vosman Crime Prevention and MP Tracker Connect operationalised the information,” said Ndubane.
He said the vehicle was “successfully intercepted on the N4 on-ramp from Vosman with three occupants inside”.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had been fitted with different identification particulars.
“The vehicle was confiscated for further investigation, and the three occupants were arrested and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle,” Ndubane said.
On Tuesday, the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit was summoned to examine the vehicle, and it was subsequently confirmed that it had been reported stolen in a Mooinooi case in the North West Province.
The arrested suspects were scheduled to appear in the Vosman Magistrate’s Court, in Mpumalanga, on charges related to possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrests and warned criminals that there is no longer space for them to operate.
“He emphasised that law enforcement officers remain vigilant, with increased visibility and operations on major routes to combat crime,” Ndubane said.