THE thief parked the stolen car in an open space near the Geluksdal cemetery in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.
But when the police circulated it, they found it parked near a roadblock.
Cops and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers held a roadblock in Tsakane on Thursday, 4 April.
Brigadier Lebohang Machakela, the acting Ekurhuleni district commissioner, said the white NP200 bakkie was hijacked in the early hours of morning.
"The bakkie was found by a tracking team, which are part of this operation, parked not far from the roadblock and has been taken to police station."
He said the Ekurhuleni roadblock held in Tsakane was part of the provincial Operation Shanela which was held simultaneously with others in Tshwane, Sedibeng and the Westrand.
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"About 216 suspects were arrested in Ekurhuleni, 288 in Tshwane, 250 in the Westrand, and 87 in Sedibeng."
He said 16 tickets were issued and more than four undocumented foreigners were arrested in Tsakane.
He said the operation is ongoing, and their tracking team had arrested several wanted suspects for various crimes.
Brigadier Machakela said one tavern was closed in Tsakane.
"The tavern was previously closed, but the owner went on operating in secret."
He said the drug team also arrested five suspects in possession of various drugs such as Crystal Meth.