STRUBENS VALLEY – The theft and hijacking of VW Polo vehicles have again been thrown into the spotlight following an attempted hijacking of a white Polo in Strubens Valley on 27 February.
The incident occurred in Montrose Street and was foiled by SRT Security officers who noticed the attempted hijacking and reacted by opening fire on the suspects’ vehicles in an attempt to apprehend the suspects.
According to a Facebook post by SRT Security, eight suspects were involved; four driving in a white Audi A4 and another four in a Silver Toyota Corolla, which was later abandoned after the shooting. The suspects left the car and fled on foot. Two of the suspects were caught on camera jumping over a business property in the area.
In the footage, the two suspects are seen driving adjacent to the property, stopping, then jumping out of the vehicle and quickly climbing over a tall electric-fenced perimeter into the business property. One suspect disappeared into the bush and the other waited for a few minutes to see if they were being followed.
After noticing flashing lights, the suspect jumped over another fence and disappeared. The owner of the property – who wished to remain anonymous – said he realised later after observing his cameras that the suspects escaped through his property.
The owner added that a cellphone and a suspected stolen credit card were found on his property.
A source in the area revealed that around 11 Polos have been stolen or hijacked in the past eight months in the Strubens Valley/Little Falls area.
SRT director Marius van der Walt backed the statement, indicating that Polos are at risk, as well as Toyota Fortuners. The company has since been applauded for being the eyes of the community and working in partnership with authorities to stop crime.
Honeydew police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan confirmed that a Toyota Corolla had been brought to the station and two separate cases were opened.
“A case of attempted car hijacking and attempted murder of a security officer were opened,” he said and added that the investigation was ongoing.
A study conducted by Ryno R Schutte from Pro-Active South Africa, a company focusing on hijacking and theft of motor vehicles, revealed that there has been a significant increase in car hijackings in South Africa from 2012 to 2016 compared to theft of motor vehicles.
Schutte stated, “Though there has been a significant reduction in vehicle theft, it can be deemed that vehicle crime has become more violent, which can be [attributed] to increased vehicle safety measures being implemented on new vehicles and the vehicle key that is required to operate the vehicles, which places vehicle owners at higher risk.”
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