A vroom vroom in the living room...

A Tracker recovery crew and members of the police made a startling discovery yesterday afternoon (June 23, 2008) when they found a hijacked vehicle parked inside what appeared to be the 'living room' of a house in Spruitview.

What began as a routine recovery for Tracker - when they tracked a stolen bakkie to the back of a normal suburban house - took a surreal turn when members of the police then inspected the house and noticed a second vehicle parked inside what appeared to be a fake 'living room'.

From the outside, the living room appears to be part of the front of the house and seems totally normal, complete with modern windows and curtains, but inside the entire wall is built on a hinge mechanism which is able to swing open, like a large barn door, allowing vehicles to be driven inside.

The vehicle found in the living room, a Toyota RunX, has subsequently been positively linked to a recent hijacking case in Germiston.

Says Tracker Spokesperson, Gareth Crocker: "Over the years we've recovered vehicles from a number of weird places and scenarios. Parked in holes underground, next to large electrical generators, wrapped in tin foil, painted in tribal muti and even one case last year where the vehicle was being stripped in the back of a moving truck. However, a fake living room with a wall on a hinge, is a first for us."

Police are currently following up on several leads and hope to make an arrest shortly.

Units from the SAPS East Rand Dog Unit, the Germiston Flying Squad and the Ekhuruleni Metro assisted Tracker on the scene.

(The images below can be clicked on to enlarge)

 A normal lounge

 Which opens to reveal....

 A vroom vroom... in the living room