LAW enforcement has warned motorists and residents to exercise extra caution as vehicles parked outside residences or on pavements are being targeted by car thieves.
Mondeor SAPS Communications Officer, Constable Mnguni, said: “Mondeor SAPS has experienced an increase in motor vehicle theft reports and problematic days seem to be Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
According to Mondeor SAPS and the Sector 2 CPF the South has seen a spike in vehicle thefts over the past couple of months in certain areas.
“Vehicles that are parked on pavements while people are working or visiting family, friends or clients are being targeted. Also vehicles left in shopping centres, flea markets, hospital parking areas, gyms, carwashes or any public parking areas are also being targeted,” said Mondeor SAPS Sector 2 CPF’s, Michelle Pelser.
Tips by Mondeor SAPS on how to stay safe are: have a tracking unit fitted or have an anti-theft unit fitted to your vehicle; and park your motor vehicle close to where there is more activity in a shopping centre. When visiting, ask if you can rather park your motor vehicle safely behind closed gates.
It is common that criminals steal or hijack these vehicles so they can use them to commit other crimes. This was suspected to have been the case in Kibler Park, when housebreaking suspects were caught by Mondeor SAPS Sector 2 CPF officers. A black Hyundai Accent was used by the suspects as a getaway vehicle and was thought to be stolen by community members at the scene of the arrest.
Upon further investigations it was found that the criminals had used their own registered vehicle, although the vehicle disk was fraudulent. A charge of fraud was added to the charge of attempted house break-in.
