Man arrested for hijacking car in Athlone, whilst elderly person in car

A 40-year-old man was arrested by Metro Police offices on Sunday, for a suspected hijacked motor vehicle, kidnapping, resisting arrest and reckless and negligent driving.

It’s understood the driver of the vehicle, who was with her 88-year-old passenger, drove the vehicle off the property where she left it idling to fetch something from the house in Athlone.

The mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said an unknown man appeared, held the passenger at gun point and drove off with her still in the vehicle.

‘’Members of the local Neighbourhood Watch, who witnessed the incident, followed and informed Metro Police officers who were conducting crime prevention patrols at the corner of Klipfontein and Belgravia Roads.’’

‘’Officers reacted swiftly and continued with the pursuit of the hijacked vehicle. Driving recklessly, the driver refused to stop and collided with at least two other motor vehicles,’’ added Smith.

The MMC explained that officers managed to corner him and stopped the vehicle on Racecourse Road between Melomed Hospital and Access Park, Kenilworth.

‘’The suspect jumped out of the vehicle and ran away trying to avoid arrest. Officers gave chase and he was soon arrested,’’ said JP Smith, MMC for Safety & Security.

PHOTO: Pixabay

The 40-year-old suspect was detained at the Athlone police station and charged with possession of a suspected hijacked motor vehicle, kidnapping, resisting arrest and reckless and negligent driving.

‘’Officers assisted the traumatised passenger who was transported by ambulance to Groote Schuur hospital for further assistance and trauma counselling,’’ said Smith.

He commended the local Neigbourhood Watch for their swift action.

‘’This is an example of an effective working relationship between our enforcement agencies and Neighbourhood Watches in communities. Neighbourhood Watches are an important link between community members and our enforcement officers in crime prevention and in the sharing of information which could lead to arrests and getting criminals off the street and out of communities,’’ said JP Smith, MMC for Safety & Security.

 

Done by: Mitchum George