Smash-and-grabs spike in uMhlanga
Don't leave valuables on car seats, warns Durban North SAPS.
DURBAN North SAPS has warned motorists, particularly females, to avoid leaving valuables on the front seat in plain sight. This comes after three smash-and-grabs on the N2/M41 off-ramp heading to uMhlanga, which police say is a hotspot for this type of crime. Since December, the Northglen News has reported on 11 incidents on this particular stretch of road alone.
Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station, said all three incidents have occurred late in the evening.
“In the latest incident, a woman had her handbag stolen from her front seat on Tuesday night. She remembers hearing a loud bang and saw the suspect running off into the bushes along the embankment. Her bag contained her camera, GPS, purse and phone.
“Hide your valuables. Car floors, dashboards and seats are not good places to leave items,” he said.
In July this year, a motorist had his gun stolen in a smash-and-grab at the same intersection. In the same month, police issued a warning to female motorists who were being targeted by criminals.
