Key Takeaways:
- A Portland father, Roy Marsh, was hijacked while trying to fix a leak at his church in Westridge
- The incident occurred on Saturday around 9:30pm, and Roy’s phone and bakkie were stolen
- The hijackers were armed and threatened to shoot Roy and another security guard if they resisted
- Roy’s vehicle was later recovered, but several items were stolen, including the spare tyre, tools, oil, and cellphone
- The police are investigating the incident and have registered a theft of motor vehicle case
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Portland witnessed a harrowing hijacking incident on Saturday, where a father, Roy Marsh, was at the right place but at the wrong time. Roy, along with another congregant and a security guard, was trying to fix a leak at his church in Westridge when the incident occurred. His wife, Wendy, had warned him about the dangers of the area before he left, but he insisted on going as there was no one else available to fix the leak. Little did he know that this decision would put him in a life-threatening situation.
The Hijacking Incident
As Roy and the other two men were finishing up their work and standing outside the car, a group of four armed men appeared out of nowhere, searching them and threatening to shoot if they resisted. The men took Roy’s phone, which was in the car, as well as the other man’s phone and wallet. The hijackers then got into Roy’s idling car and drove off, leaving the three men shaken but unharmed. Roy’s body was sore due to the shock of the incident, and he was grateful to have escaped without any serious injuries.
The Aftermath
After the incident, Roy returned home and recounted the events to his wife, Wendy. She was understandably shaken and grateful that her husband was alive. The family was relieved to discover that Roy had the spare keys to the vehicle, which was later recovered after Wendy saw a post on a WhatsApp community group saying that the vehicle was abandoned in Montrose Park. When they found the vehicle, they discovered that the spare tyre, tools, oil, and cellphone had been stolen, and the backseat windows were rolled down.
Police Investigation
The police have registered a theft of motor vehicle case and are investigating the incident. According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the police spokesperson, the vehicle was idling when the unknown suspects got into the vehicle and drove off. The investigation is still ongoing, and the police are working to apprehend the suspects. Wendy expressed her gratitude that her husband was alive and hoped that the perpetrators would one day experience the trauma they had inflicted on others.
A Miracle Escape
Wendy attributed her husband’s narrow escape to the hand of Jesus, saying that he was at a good place but at the wrong time. She was grateful that Roy and the other men were unharmed and hoped that the incident would serve as a wake-up call for the community to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings. The incident has left the family shaken but also grateful for the miracle escape, and they hope that the police will bring the perpetrators to justice.
Conclusion
The hijacking incident in Westridge is a stark reminder of the dangers that exist in our communities. It highlights the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety. The incident also underscores the need for community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to prevent such crimes from occurring. As the police continue to investigate the incident, the community can only hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and that such incidents will not happen again in the future.
