Car thieves stopped in their tracks

After stealing more than 30 cars in the greater Amanzimtoti area last month, a group of car thieves’ luck ran out on Saturday, 2 June thanks to the Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO).

“We have been trying everything to catch them, with many early morning and evening patrols conducted, to no avail,” said CCPO committee member, George Snodey.
That all changed when acting CCPO manager, Rupert Smit was at Winkle beach early on Friday morning when he noticed a white VW Caravelle in the area, with the occupants acting suspiciously.

When they noticed they were under surveillance, they drove out of the area. When questioned after their arrest, they said they noticed they were being observed by the CCPO, so decided to change vehicles and area.

READ ALSO: Heartfelt tribute paid to slain Prospecton businessman

The vehicle’s details were shared over the CCPO radios, which Metro Police’s dog unit shares. About 30 minutes later Snodey noticed a silver Etios parked where all the parkrun vehicles were parked in Beach Road between Shad Place and the main beach parking with the same registration that was on the Caravalle.

“Fortunately our Metro dog unit buddies were less than two minutes away. When the K9 guys pulled up to check them out, they raced off and turned into Inyoni Rocks Road. At the intersection of Kingsway they smashed into a Ford Bantam and then headed north towards Galleria,” said Snodey.

With the K9 vehicle in hot pursuit, the getaway driver tried to make a sharp turn to get onto the freeway and throw his pursuer off, however with the wet roads, they slid out and hit the traffic light. Before they could get out of the car, the K9 unit was on them, arresting all three men with an assortment of tools, computer boxes and remote jammers.

“This is a significant arrest for everyone, as these guys were causing absolute havoc in the area. Thanks to ET Rapid Response, Blue Security and Toti SAPS for their assistance,” said Snodey.