FEMALE drivers are increasingly being targeted by smash-and-grab thieves the Durban North SAPS said this week. It seems the thieves are using the element of distraction and surprise as their modus operandi. Two incidents have been reported this week alone.
Station spokesman Lt Raymond Deokaran confirmed that several smash-and-grab attacks have occurred on the N2-M41 intersection coming off the N2 heading to either Mount Edgecombe or uMhlanga.
“These thieves usually target woman drivers who are alone in the vehicle, and have left handbags either on their passenger seat or on the floor. Most of the cases reported this year occur either in the afternoon (peak traffic) or late evenings,” he said.
In the first incident a woman on the notorious N2-M41 off-ramp was targeted.
“The incident occurred at about 7.30pm. She was one of only a few cars at the traffic lights when she heard a loud bang. Thankfully she managed to drive off before the suspect reached in the windwo to snatch her handbag, but in her haste to getaway, she accelerated and ended up scraping the side of her car on the barrier. In the second incident a woman on the M4 eMdloti off-ramp also had her handbag stolen off the front seat.
“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.
Deokaran urged residents and drivers who notice suspicious behaviour or witness a smash and grab incident to contact the police immediately.
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