The latest victim, Lonehill resident Karen Rousseau said she received a call from her tracker company at about 5.30am on 10 March asking her of her car’s whereabouts.
“I checked the car park only to find that my car was gone,” she said.
Rousseau, who drove a Sahara gold Toyota Hilux Raider 4×4, registration number CL25SS GP, said her tracking company tracked the car to central Johannesburg, then Midrand and then lost the signal.
Despite checking security footage of various petrol stations around the area, Rosseau was unable to track the car and has urged community members with any information to contact her.
Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for the Douglasdale police confirmed that a case of theft of a motor vehicle was opened at the Douglasdale Police Station
Also WATCH: Robbery at Lonehill secure estate caught on camera
Marcel Pienaar, estate and risk security specialist at ADT Security provided residents with the following hints and tips:
- Don’t become complacent about perimeter security; while perimeter security measures have been successful in driving down crime in estates and complexes, once criminals gain access to properties within estates they often have free reign. Be sure to lock doors and windows and ensure vehicles are locked even if parked in a garage.
- Prominent access control; criminals are less likely to target those complexes which have well-defined access control procedures.
- Do not leave entry/exit discs or remote controls in vehicles.
- Park in a well-lit area; many complex residents do not have a choice but to park outside so the best advice is to ensure you do park in an area which is well lit. Also, ensure you have an audible alarm system in your car.
- Do not display a complex sticker on your car; there is an increasing trend for criminals to target certain cars which have identifying stickers on them. Criminals often take note of these vehicles at shopping centres.
- Watch out if there is construction on the go. Having construction workers on-site within estates has historically resulted in elevated crime levels. Whether this is a direct result of construction workers having access to the estate or the increase in traffic in and out of the estate, you need to be extra diligent about ensuring your home is secure.
- Report suspicious behaviour; a growing trend in complexes is for a crime syndicate to move into a home for a period of time. During this time, they monitor the behaviour of residents and initiate house break-ins in the estate before moving out. If you notice any suspicious behaviour i.e. blinds or curtains permanently drawn, report it immediately to your security company.
- Be alert when entering and exiting; the majority of vehicle hijackings happen at the complex gate. A normal gate will take 18 seconds to open which leaves drivers vulnerable. Always be aware of your surroundings when pulling into your complex.
READ Thieves target VW vehicles in Fourways
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