Trapped hijacker commits suicide

An alleged violent hijacker is believed to have taken his own life after police and Tracker closed in on him as he was driving through Emondlo, between Dundee and Vryheid, earlier today.

The man is thought to be one of three men who hijacked a vehicle and allegedly shot and killed the driver at approximately 06h00 this morning (January 25, 2008). The incident occurred outside an industrial factory in Newcastle. A security guard who witnessed the incident immediately contacted police who, in turn, contacted Tracker to check if the vehicle might be fitted with a Tracker.

Tracker confirmed that the vehicle was indeed on its system and the unit was activated. Within minutes Tracker picked up the signal and police from Newcastle Training and Kingsley SAPS soon had the vehicle in their sights.

Realising he was being tracked, the driver of the vehicle tried to run police off the road before speeding down a sand track in Emondlo. Police followed in pursuit and moments later the vehicle lost control and rolled down a steep embankment.

"As the police approached the overturned car, the driver of the vehicle is alleged to have shot himself in the head. Police then helped three female passengers out of the car who reported that the man had offered them a lift shortly before the chase began,' says Gareth Crocker, Tracker's Communications Manager.

"At this stage, we believe the man may have taken his life when he realised he was trapped in the vehicle and had no means of escape."

Police are investigating the case further to see if his gun can be traced back to the murder.

"We would like to pay tribute to the police for both their quick investigative work and for their courage during the track," says Crocker. "And we would obviously like to offer our most heartfelt condolensces to the family of the murdered man."

The two remaining suspects are still at large.