NELSPRUIT– An Operation by members from National Crime Intelligence, Middleburg Flying Squad, and Private Security Company yielded positive results when a white Toyota Prado was recovered after being abandoned by suspects at a certain farm between Hendrina and Bethal in the evening of Monday, 22 May 2023.
Information was received about a suspicious vehicle that had false registration number plates and its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was tempered. The details were followed then the said vehicle was spotted however upon realizing that the law enforcement agencies were approaching, the suspects reportedly fled to evade arrest, leaving the engine still running. On further inspection, the astute members realized that the vehicle keys were missing. It was further established during the preliminary investigation that the suspects cloned the vehicle by tempering with the VIN so that it looks similar to another vehicle of the same make.
The car was impounded for further investigation as well as to determine its rightful and lawful owner. Forensic investigation will also be conducted in a bid to locate the suspects that evaded arrest.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela commended the law enforcement agencies for the recovery of the vehicle and reassured motorists that law enforcement agencies will continue to ensure that the operations by criminals are intercepted.
