Theft out of motor vehicles on the rise in Mbombela
Hi-Tech's Callum mac Pherson has warned there are around three vehicle break-ins in the city reported each day.
With an increase in vehicle break-ins around Mbombela, Hi-Tech’s Callum mac Pherson has urged the public to avoid leaving their valuables in their cars at all costs.
Mac Pherson said Hi-Tech Security has been inundated with calls these past few weeks regarding valuables such as wallets, laptops and phones being stolen from people’s cars.
“It is happening around Mbombela wherever there are vehicles gathered together, such as at schools, shopping centres – even houses that are having a party or a braai and have several cars parked outside the gate,” said Mac Pherson.
He said there have been a few cases reported in White River as well.
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“The high-risk times for vehicle break-ins are between 16:00 and 20:00, when people are leaving work with their laptops and then quickly stop at a shop, or go to a school to fetch their children and when they come back, their car has been broken into and valuables have been stolen.”
Mac Pherson said it appeared that there was a group of people using certain number plates on a variety of cars to commit the break-ins and flee the scene.
“There is no specific car that people should be on the lookout for, as it seems the vehicles are being switched regularly to commit the crimes, but have the same number plate,” he said.
“We are continuously sharing information regarding involved vehicles between all security companies via Lowveld Security JOC.”
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Mac Pherson urged people to remain vigilant and to not leave any valuables in their cars even if they are quickly popping into the shop.
“We are dealing with up to three vehicle break-ins a day. Please do not leave anything in your car that can be stolen,” he said.
