CRIMINALS CAUGHT WITH CLONED COP CAR

A cloned police bakkie was seized on Monday afternoon, 27 February 2023, in Midrand.

The bakkie, which was marked with SAPS insignia, sirens, and blue lights, was reportedly hijacked in December and has since been reportedly linked to a gang responsible for a spate of blue-light truck hijackings.

Two (2) suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are due to appear in court soon.

One suspect was arrested for impersonating an officer and the other one for bribery as he came with a lumpsum cash to bribe the officers.

The suspects were apprehended by a joint operation led by SAPS Ekurhuleni Crime Intelligence, Rabie Ridge SAPS, and the Tembisa Tracing Team. The car model in question is a Mazda Bakkie BT50, and both the vehicle and suspects will spend the night at Rabie Ridge Police Station.

The cloned police vehicle even had a number plate similar to that of official SAPS vehicles, ending with “B” instead of “GP”.

This is a worrying development, as it raises questions about how easily criminals can obtain police markings and use them to commit crimes.

The incident highlights the need for heightened security measures to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future. It is essential for law enforcement agencies to collaborate and work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice and to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

As the investigation continues, we urge citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. We must work together to combat crime and ensure that our communities remain safe and secure.