A white Toyota Tazz, with registration NTM 069 GP, was stolen between 7pm and 8pm on 1 October in front of the Caxton office in Witpoortjie.
CCTV cameras captured the incident. The footage shows the thugs driving into the parking lot in a blue, four-door sedan – model and make unknown – and stopping near the Tazz at about 7.22pm. After waiting in the vehicle for 15 minutes, one of them got out of the car. The blue sedan drove off, and eight minutes later the Tazz’s alarm went off. Shortly afterwards the robber drove off in it on Ham Street towards Trezona Avenue.
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Warning: Be on the lookout for car thieves’ vehicle
Anyone who spots the Tazz or knows its whereabouts is urged to contact Abel Hamman on 011 955 1130.
According to The Star, 5 253 Toyota vehicles were hijacked countrywide in the past financial year.
Here are some tips provided by The National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Car page to reduce the risk of car theft:
1. Use a baby monitor in your car
This is an unexpected anti-theft device to have in your vehicle because it allows you to listen to everything that is happening inside your car. If someone opens the car door or tries to start the motor, you will hear it.
2. Wrap your car keys in aluminium foil
Protect your keys from “relay” attacks by wrapping them in something metallic to block the signals. There are devices that thieves can use to intercept the signal of your car keys without you noticing. Once the signal from your keys are hijacked, the thief can gain access to your car and steal it. So, don’t hang your keys close to your front door, instead place them in foil, in a faraday wallet, your microwave oven or even your fridge.
3. Mark your window or mirror with your VIN number
This is an inexpensive service that can significantly decrease your risk of car theft. A criminal would have to spend money and time to change the etched glass and therefore decrease his profit. You can have the VIN etched on your driver’s’ side rear view window, a side window or both.
4. Hide an old powered on tablet or phone in your car
When you must leave your vehicle in a place where you are unsure about safety, place an old phone or tablet that is synced with your Google account where it can’t be seen in your car. This will allow you to track your car using the ‘Find my phone’ function, given that your phone or tablet is connect to WiFi.
5. Keep tyres turned to the curb when parking
When your car’s wheels are turned towards the curb, it makes it more difficult for thieves to manoeuvre your vehicle in order to steal it. This is especially true if they are using a tow truck. If your car requires more time and complications to steal, it is less likely to be targeted.
6. Use more than one method
Consider installing a GPS tracker in an unlikely place in your vehicle while also using a steering-wheel lock. This strategy can divert the focus of a thief as he will likely not be looking for another protective device after he has overcome the first obstacle.
7. Keep your vehicle clean and well cared for
When a prospective car thief sees that your vehicle is kept in tip top shape, he will assume that you have an effective alarm system and GPS to find it if it does get stolen. Keeping your car looking its best can be a deterrent.
8. Install a quick release hub for your steering wheel
Take your steering wheel with you when you park your car. A criminal can’t get far without it.
9. Roll up windows and lock doors when leaving your car for whatever reason
If you get in a small fender bender or when you are fuelling your car, roll up the windows and lock the door. Thieves often use times when you are in a hurry and don’t expect anything to happen to jump in and take your car.
10. Pull a spark plug
An efficient and inexpensive method to deter a thief is to tug on a spark plug. Your car won’t start without a spark on the cylinder. This is a great method to use in the city where a criminal can’t really open the hood to see what the problem is without getting noticed. This method will not work on a vehicle that has a coil plug, without needing more tools.
