[WATCH] Truck jacker smash and nab: Skelm who stole construction lorry arrested after he crashes into a tree
BOOM!: Hijack chase ended in Rocklands park. Picture: Venecia Valentine
A dom skelm who hijacked a moerse sand truck crashed into a tree after trying to outrun police in Rocklands.
The truck, which belongs to JH Karstens Transport in Brackenfell, was on its way to collect sand when the driver stopped along Spine Road to check the vehicle, says the owner Mr Karstens.
That’s when the opportunistic skelm jumped into the driver’s seat and took off, leaving the shocked driver behind.
“My driver heard a strange noise coming from the truck and pulled over to check what the problem was, but while he was looking at the truck, a man jumped into the driver’s seat and then he drove the truck for a distance while my driver gave chase on foot,” explains Karstens.
“Another motorist saw him running and picked him up and they chased the truck while calling SAPS.
“SAPS quickly responded as they were in the same area and chased the truck who drove into various streets before he crashed into a tree and substation in a park.
“I don’t know why this guy chose to hijack such a big truck, he also got away with nothing and has been arrested.”
Chadwin Pienaar, 15, and other kids were playing in the park off Typhoon Street when the large truck came approached at high speed.
“I saw this big truck speeding towards me and it looked like something out of a movie scene,” says the teen.
“The man who stood close to me said I must run as the truck was coming at a speed and SAPS vans were right behind it.
“The truck crashed into the tree and then the driver jumped out and ran around the corner.”
The hapless hijacker ran into the house of Typhoon Blockwatch chairperson Riedewaan Moose.
“We don’t know his face, he ran in here and tried to hide from SAPS who were chasing him,” says Riedewaan.
“I didn’t witness the chase but when I heard the sirens, I came out to check and found this man sitting on the couch in my lounge as if nothing happened. It was the strangest thing to see.
“I then alerted SAPS that he was inside my lounge, SAPS came in and arrested him.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk says: “On Tuesday at about 12.45pm, Mitchells Plain SAPS members were alerted by the community about a stolen truck.
“The officers spotted and chased the truck, and after a long chase, the truck hit a substation and eventually came to a stop.
“The suspect ran into a house where he was arrested by police.
“The 38-year-old suspect faces charges of theft of a truck and reckless and negligent driving.
“No persons were injured during the incident.”