Suspect arrested after attempted Greenacres hijacking
A suspect was arrested after an attempted hijacking at a filling station in Greenacres this week (on Wednesday 2 August).
The manager of the filling station was alerted by his staff that a suspect was allegedly trying to hijack a vehicle that was standing on the petrol station’s forecourt close to the car wash. He ran outside, and called for help from a security company vehicle that happened to also be parked on the forecourt.
“Our officer immediately moved his vehicle to block the filling station’s exit in an attempt to prevent the alleged hijacker’s getaway,” says Ryan Britz, Port Elizabeth branch manager for Fidelity ADT.
The suspect initially struggled to get the car started, but once he did he attempted to escape via an embankment next to the premises. Armed Response Officer Carlos Margarido as well as management from the petrol station gave chase in an attempt to stop the suspect from getting away.
“The suspect was pursued by the officer for several minutes who had contacted the Fidelity ADT monitoring centre to provide backup in the form of Armed Response Officer, Hubert Wilson. They both continued chasing the suspect and even prevented him from getting away in a local taxi,” says Britz.
The suspect was eventually apprehended in Ascot Road and handed over into the custody of the SAPS.
The petrol station’s manager says a recent decision to partner with Fidelity ADT played a big part in this arrest.
“In a recent discussion with the team I expressed that the presence of the Fidelity ADT vehicles on our forecourt will surely make the environment around us safer. I believe that God protects us all and the awareness and alertness of Carlos definitely prevented a situation that could have been fatal. I will forever be grateful,” said Haydon Dixon, Dealer Principle.
“We commend both officers for their incredibly bravery and commitment to keeping our residents safe. This again shows that our officers are prepared to go beyond the call of duty when it comes to assisting and protecting our Port Elizabeth communities” says Britz.