Local musician falls victim to ‘theft out of motor vehicle’

DURBAN resident Jason Naidoo was the victim of ‘theft out of motor vehicle’ on the night of November 16 when his trombone was stolen from his car. The trombone was taken while the local musician was at rehearsals for an upcoming show in Glenwood and had parked his car on the corner of Helen Jospeh and Bulwer Road.

“Rehearsal finished at about 22:00, so I put my trombone on the backseat of my car and popped back to say goodbye to the other musicians. When I got back, I realised that someone had broken into my car through the rear passenger window and had stolen my trombone, music stand and my trombone stand!” said Naidoo.

According to the local resident, the trombone’s make is a Yamaha YSL651, originally made in 1969, and the musician has been playing it for the past 40 years. “Apart from it being irreplaceable, it is of huge sentimental value to me,” he said.

Naidoo registered the incident at Umbilo SAPS, and since then, no developments have been made in the case. If you have any information about the incident or the sale of this particular item, call Jason Naidoo at 084 499 2288.

Captain Carmen Rhynes from eThekwini District Communication at the South African Police Services offered some tips for residents to prevent ‘theft out of motor vehicle’ incidents.

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Tips when driving 

•  When driving, ensure that you close all windows and lock all doors.
• If you do not have air conditioning in your vehicle, as we approach summer, you should keep your windows slightly open but not enough to fi t a hand through the window when stopping at traffic lights.
• Do not put handbags or shopping bags on the passenger seat, or on your lap as a passenger, or on the floor of your vehicle when driving.
• Ensure that all belongings are out of sight and kept in a safe place like the boot of your vehicle or under the passenger seat when driving or stopping anywhere.
• Do not let your passengers sit with their cellphones and handbags on their laps. Ensure they keep them out of sight and in a safe place.
•  The most common things that are snatched out of your vehicle are cellphones, jewellery and handbags – keep them out of sight.
• Please ensure you are not on your phone when driving or stopping at traffic lights. Keep your cellphone out of sight.
• Educate your passengers also when using their phones while you are driving and stopping at traffic lights. They, too, can become victims of ‘smash and
  grabs’.
• Keep your eyes on your mirrors and on people walking between vehicles. Be alert when you come to a stop or when traffic slows down.

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Tips for parked cars

• Ensure when you leave your vehicle that you have locked your doors – check the handle, especially when you use a remote. Some criminals like to jam your remote and keep your vehicle unlocked.
• Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight inside your vehicle – it creates an opportunity for criminals to steal your valuables. Lock your items away inside the boot of the vehicle.
• Always park your car in a safe area that has security and good lighting.
• Don’t keep any personal documents/cards with your address or personal details in your vehicle.
• Don’t leave house keys or your wallet in the cubbyhole of your vehicle when going to the gym or a walk/jog on the beach.
• Park your vehicle and those of your visitors inside the yard, behind locked gates, and not on the verge.
• Have an immobiliser/alarm/gear lock/tracker system installed.
• Remove GPS and cellphone brackets from the dashboard. Also remove the face of your radio.