A Cape Town mother’s worst nightmare turned to relief after her seven-month-old baby, who was in her car when she was hijacked, was safely found.
Police said that they are investigating the circumstances around the hijacking which took place at Bishop Street, Observatory, at around 10.30am on Monday.
The suspects had stolen the vehicle while mom Alicia Lamprecht was standing next to it chatting to a friend, as she was about to take her son out.
But while the car was found soon afterwards in Maitland thanks to its tracking device, there was no sign of little Henco Lamprecht.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the suspect fled with the victim’s VW Polo with her baby inside.
“The immediate response by the members of the Flying Squad and the K9 Unit resulted in the vehicle being recovered in Voortrekker Road, Maitland,” he says.
“Further investigation on the scene led the members to an address in Dellville Square in Maitland where the baby was found unharmed.”
In an interview with CapeTalk the mother, from Brackenfell, said that she was “very emotional but doing OK” after Henco was returned to her.
She commended the work done by Woodstock SAPS in helping track him down.
She said she was busy talking to a friend when her car was stolen “not even two metres away” from her.
“I’m not sure who found him. I’m just glad to hold my baby,” she said.
Colonel Alroy van de Berg of Woodstock Police says the tracking device was picked up in Mowbray and the vehicle was then traced to Maitland.
“This unknown suspect dropped the baby on the pavement in Maitland and drove a few metres before abandoning the car and fled to an unknown direction,” he says.
“The mom assisted the K9 squad to track the vehicle and unfortunately the baby was not there.
“The search continued and Woodstock SAPS were informed the baby was found in Maitland and upon arrival he was found with a man who was subsequently arrested.
“Apparently the baby was found by a female pedestrian who then alerted the police.
“He was unharmed, same as the vehicle, hence it is still hard to tell what the motive behind the abduction was.”
Colonel Traut says cops are investigating a case of hijacking: “A possible suspect has been identified, however, a formal arrest is yet to be made.”