Police in Mpumalanga have recovered a stolen Toyota Fortuner just hours after it was taken from a hospital parking area in Nelspruit, following a coordinated tracking operation.
The vehicle was stolen at around 13:00 on Saturday, May 2, after the owner parked it at a local hospital while visiting a patient, only to return and find it missing.
Provincial spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said tracking signals initially led officers to the Matsulu area, but the vehicle could not immediately be located, adding that a breakthrough came later that evening.
“At approximately 18:30, updated tracking information led members to the Pienaar area in Msogwaba. Acting swiftly on the coordinates provided, the team approached the identified location with caution and successfully recovered a Toyota Fortuner found abandoned behind a stadium.”
Masondo added that preliminary investigations confirmed the vehicle was the same one reported stolen earlier. Police also established it had been fitted with false Gauteng registration plates in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
“No suspects were found at the scene, and investigations are ongoing to trace and apprehend those responsible.”
Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS App.
The Star
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