JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – A resident is still reeling following the theft of his red VW Polo GTI (registration WHB 535 GP) from the Mall of the South, on October 11, while he and his family had lunch inside.
According to Tieho Thai, his vehicle was parked on the rooftop parking, just next to the entrance at the food court.
“We had lunch and did some shopping. When we were about to leave I noticed that my car wasn’t where I parked it and that it had been stolen. I notified the control room and they told me to call Mondeor SAPS and JMPD to get my car registration in circulation. A case was opened at Mondeor SAPS but my car has not been found,” said Thai.
Thai immediately took to social media to spread the news and images about the theft of his car in attempts to have the community help him locate it.
Mondeor SAPS communications officer, Constable Elizabeth Sibongile Mnguni, said: “I can confirm that a case of theft of motor vehicle was reported on October 11. It is alleged the victim parked his red VW Polo in the parking at the Mall of the South on October 11, during the day, and when he came back, he found his motor vehicle stolen. From the analysis made by Mondeor SAPS, it shows that VW Polo’s are targeted. At this stage the motor vehicle is not recovered as yet. Investigations are underway.”
Thai went back to the mall on October 12, to view and get a copy of surveillance footage of the incident. As he was making his way into the mall with Mondeor SAPS officers, gun shots went off as six suspects robbed two jewellery stores.
“I arrived about ten minutes ago to acquire camera footage concerning my car that was stolen yesterday. All of a sudden, gunshots! I ran towards the direction of Woolworths. People came running down the escalators and everywhere. The four cops I came with had to rush to the scene and the armed tactical units arrived heavily armed to attend to the emergency,” said Thai.
His vehicle is still missing and he is appealing to the community to be on the lookout for his vehicle. If anyone has any information, they can contact Mondeor SAPS on 011 433 5400.