Another Suspect Arrested For Allegedly Robbing Hitch-hikers
Following the arrest of a 25-year-old man over the weekend, authorities are narrowing in on hitchhiker robbers.
According to Free State police spokesperson Captain Malebo Khosana, the 25-year-old was apprehended on Saturday after a high-speed chase with police in Vierfontein.
He claimed the man and two others, who remained at large, robbed two hitchhikers near the Vaal Bridge in Vierfontein. “The two victims hitch-hiked in Roadhouse, Orkney, when they were offered a lift by a motorist with two other passengers.
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“The two victims were threatened with a firearm and robbed of their belongings before they jumped from the moving vehicle.
The arrest came just days after a multidisciplinary team formed to investigate kidnappings in the North West province, where hitchhikers were also frequently targeted, apprehended three foreign nationals in what appears to be a syndicate. The ring is thought to be responsible for at least 12 cases in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
According to national police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe, the syndicate has been targeting members of the public who were hitchhiking in Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Orkney, and surrounding areas, with their main target being mineworkers.
“The syndicate would lure unsuspecting victims from hitch-hiking spots under the pretence of transporting them to their various destinations.
“The victims would then be robbed off their personal belongings, followed by ransom payment demands made by their families for their safe return.”
She stated that two men were apprehended on Friday night on the R502 road that connects Potchefstroom and Orkney. “Two foreign nationals, aged 24 and 37 years of age, were found travelling in a motor vehicle matching the description of a vehicle wanted in a case where a post office employee was kidnapped last Wednesday.
“During a search of the vehicle, police discovered several items belonging to a second victim who had been reported as kidnapped on Thursday. In this matter, a ransom demand was also issued to the family of the victim. The team immediately dispatched a search party to rescue the victim who was found at a stadium in Orkney.”
During a subsequent investigation at one of the identified addresses, police apprehended another 57-year-old foreign national. “At this address, police seized two other vehicles believed to have been utilised in the commission of other kidnapping cases as well as 16 cellphones believed to be belonging to victims in these cases.”
Police have positively linked the three men to the kidnapping of a post office employee, who was released after a ransom was paid, as well as at least 12 other kidnappings in which victims were robbed of their personal belongings and ransom demands were made for their safe return.
“The possibility of effecting more arrests and linking these suspects to more cases cannot be ruled out,” she said.
