Increase in smash-and-grab incidents

MOTORISTS, mostly females, continue to fall victim to thugs who smash the windows of their vehicles and flee with their handbags or other belongings.

Following last week’s article in the Northglen News about a smash-and-grab incident on the N2 off-ramp, another motorist has fallen victim to the crime, this time on the M41 off-ramp (turning on to Umhlanga Rocks Drive). Several smash-and-grab attacks have occurred on the N2-M41 intersection coming off the N2 heading to either Mount Edgecombe or uMhlanga.

Several residents have blamed the smash-and-grab incidents on the vendors walking through the throngs of cars often stuck in traffic. However, according to Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North station, there is no evidence to support that claim.

“We have had cases in the past of criminals working in pairs where one will pose as a vendor, distracting the attention of the driver while the other party will perform the smash-and-grab from the passenger side, however the two incidents over the past two weeks have been opportunistic crimes.”

The latest incident occurred at about 6.45pm on Tuesday last week.

“The motorist was behind two other cars and said she did not notice anybody approaching her vehicle. She heard a loud bang and only realised a few seconds later that her handbag, which was left on the passenger seat had been taken.

“We are again appealing to motorists not to leave goods lying on the seats of their cars and to be extremely vigilant when driving through the area. Hide your valuables. Car floors, dashboards and seats are not good places to leave items. If you can’t take valuable items with you, hide them out of sight in your trunk,” he said.