Arrested viral cellphone snatcher linked to March hijacking of JMPD officer

Bulelwa Hoala

JMPD arrested a 26-year-old suspect linked to a viral cellphone snatching incident and a March 2025 hijacking of an off-duty officer.
The suspect was apprehended in Hillbrow and linked to several similar crimes across Gauteng.
Three additional suspects allegedly involved in reprogramming stolen phones were also arrested.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, arrested a 26-year-old Zimbabwean national who was recently seen snatching a cellphone from a woman in a viral social media video.

According to the JMPD, the suspect was arrested at a flat in Hillbrow and has been positively linked to a number of similar cases across Gauteng, including the hijacking of an off-duty JMPD member in March 2025.

The operation also led to the arrest of a syndicate of three Bangladeshi nationals found in possession of specialised equipment allegedly used to reprogramme or wipe (also known as “flushing”) stolen cellphones.

The main suspect has been detained at Hillbrow SAPS, while the three other suspects are being held at Johannesburg Central SAPS. All suspects have been charged with possession of suspected stolen property.

JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick Jaca said the arrest of additional suspects linked to the syndicate is imminent.

“The arrest of these individuals is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to dismantle syndicates that terrorise our residents. By linking this suspect to both the viral video and the hijacking of one of our own members, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for criminals in Johannesburg,” Jaca said.