Vehicle syndicate bust

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File picture: Toyota Fortuner, Mercedes Benz ML, BMW and Hyundai Tucson were some of the vehicles recovered.

Richards Bay - Five men linked to a series of hijackings and the sale of stolen luxury vehicles have been arrested in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Thursday.

Several vehicles were recovered when the men were arrested on Wednesday, said Colonel Vincent Mdunge.

“Among the accused were prominent businessmen and the man who allegedly drew up the fraudulent documents for the vehicles.”

The men were believed to belong to a syndicate and linked to the fraudulent sales of bank-repossessed vehicles with false documentation.

Toyota Fortuner, Mercedes Benz ML, BMW and Hyundai Tucson were some of the vehicles recovered.

Mdunge said records revealed some of the cars were stolen from Hillcrest, Umhlali, Durban, and Johannesburg.

“Seven other men and 23 suspected stolen vehicles were recovered in the past two weeks.”

The provincial office commended members of the Hawks from the Empangeni office and Inanda detectives for their excellent work.

“I want these members to know that their perseverance and hard work does not go unnoticed,” commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni said.

The men, aged between 36 and 53, were expected to appear in the Empangeni Magistrate's Court on Friday. - Sapa