GEORGE NEWS - What initially appeared to be a case of truck hijacking in George on Saturday 13 December has since turned out to be a story that did not quite hold water
The police arrested two men, aged 22 and 35, after the driver of a delivery truck had reported that his vehicle had been hijacked while he was transporting some cigarettes.
The truck was later found abandoned in Caledon Street near the George Lights Festival, seemingly lending weight to the driver’s claim
However, police investigations soon uncovered a different version of events. According to the Southern Cape Police’s spokesperson, Sergeant Chris Spies, the officers established that no hijacking had taken place and that the cigarettes had instead been sold, and the hijacking report was used as a cover story
“A vehicle linked to the incident was spotted in Omega Close, where a search of a premises led to the recovery of 52 boxes of cigarettes valued at about R600 000,” said Spies
The occupant of the premises (35) was arrested on a charge of possession of stolen property. The truck driver (22) was also arrested on a charge of perjury.
The investigation involved a joint operation between the George Crime Prevention Unit, neighbourhood watches, Community in Blue and other community safety structures.
Some of the confiscated cigarettes.
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