A man, who had been hijacked and shoved into the boot of his vehicle, managed to crawl to safety after suspects crashed his white VW Polo while trying to flee from police.
Police officers were conducting patrols in Mahambahlala when they spotted the vehicle driving through side streets in the area.
"In Seyisi Street, officers wanted to stop the vehicle but when the occupants saw the police, they sped off," said Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg.
She said police called for back up and a high speed chase ensued.
Janse van Rensburg said as the Polo approached a traffic circle at Mavuso Street, the driver lost control and the car crashed into a wall.
Suspects alighted from the vehicle and fired at police.
"Officers arrested one suspect with a firearm in his possession as well as the driver who was stuck in the crashed vehicle," Janse van Rensburg said.
She said while police officers were busy on scene, they heard noises coming from the boot.
"Upon further investigation, an unknown man crawled his way from the boot through the back seats and informed the members that he was hijacked," she said.
The two suspects were charged with hijacking, kidnapping and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
They are both expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court.
IOL News