Police have warned residents about an increase in theft out of motor vehicle.
Sebenza SAPS communications officer, Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso, said they have received many cases of this crime and are warning the community to take the necessary precautions.
Also read: Business owners urged to increase their security – Sebenza SAPS
“We urge residents to be vigilant and to make sure their vehicles are properly locked before leaving the parking spot,” said Tsotsotso.
She said residents need to manually check if the vehicle is locked, because criminals use devices that jam the car’s locking system.
“People must not rely on a remote. Lock and manually check if the doors are locked before you leave the parking lot,” she said.
Tsotsotso said theft out of motor vehicle often occurs because people leave valuables in plain sight.
“People must stop leaving valuables such as handbags, laptops and wallets on the seats of their vehicles. All that should be put in the boot of the car to avoid your car being broken into,” she said.
She also urged residents to stop parking outside their yards and on the side of the road.
“People must park their cars inside their yard because criminals take advantage when they see cars parked outside,” said Tsotsotso.
She also appealed to people not to move their vehicles when they have been broken into, as that makes it difficult for the police to conduct their investigation on the scene of the crime.
“If your car has been broken into, do not remove it from the spot because police must come and take fingerprints and also look for evidence that may assist in our investigation.
“People must also open a case at the police station closest to where the incident took place,” said Tsotsotso.
“If the car was broken into in Sebenza, don’t go to another police station to open a case. Only Sebenza SAPS can investigate that case. If a case is opened elsewhere, it will delay their investigations because the docket must first be transferred to them,” she explained.
