Hot on the heels: Toti Tactical joins forces to track hijacking syndicate

Blue Security tactical teams were on high alert in the Amanzimtoti area on Tuesday evening after reports were received of increased criminal activity.
“Intelligence information had been shared that a gang of armed hijackers were headed for Amanzimtoti,” Eugene Engelbrecht, tactical ambassador for Amanzimtoti said.
He immediately linked up with a tracking agent and set off in search of the gang of hijackers. “We encountered the suspects after pinpointing their location following reports of gunshots being heard in the Seadoone area,” Engelbrecht said.
Backup quickly arrived from additional Blue Security tactical team members, a Tracker officer from ET Security as well as a member of the local CCPO. “The hijacking victim was escorted to Amanzimtoti SAPS and all relevant evidence was presented in an effort to assist the SAPS in further investigation,” Engelbrecht said.
“Providing support for victims is a priority after they have been involved in a crisis situation. Blue Security is focused on community support during these times.” An important lead arose when a relative of the hijack victim’s was successful in pinpointing the location of the stolen cell phone which had been taken during the hijacking. Engelbrecht and the member of the tracking company raced to the site along with ET Security Tracker officer,
“Not only was the cell phone found in nearby bushes by the Metro K9 unit but the hijacked vehicle was also recovered,” Engelbrecht said. But the evening was not yet over. A report was received of a second hijacking while the search was underway for the first hijacked vehicle. “It was highly probable that the suspects were resorting to desperate measures to escape,” Engelbrecht said.
“The tracking unit was receiving information that a third hijacked vehicle was fast approaching and our assistance was needed. “The hijacked vehicle was recovered with the severely injured victim still in the car. The driver had been hijacked in Phoenix. The suspects attempted to escape in the getaway car but crashed the vehicle and unfortunately managed to flee on foot,” Engelbrecht said. “We waited with the victims until all services had attended the scenes and due process had been followed.”
To avoid becoming a victim of hijacking members of the public are advised to increase awareness when approaching their parked vehicles after dark, especially if located in cul-de-sacs or quiet roads. Other useful tips:
• If any strange vehicles or individuals are observed, return to safety and activate your panic alarm or call the control room.
• Potential hijackers wait for unsuspecting victims to return to their vehicle with the keys before initiating the hijacking, especially for makes with advanced security features.
• The suspects will not hesitate to shoot so do not confront or resist them. This will only escalate the situation.
“There were many different parties involved in the aftermath of these hijacking incidents. These include the Tracker recovery teams, the CCPO, ETSecurity, the Metro K9 unit and SAPS.