A WARNING has gone out to drivers who frequent the intersection of South Coast and Pendlebury roads to be aware of the increasing smash and grabs and hijackings.
Both Montclair and Wentworth SAPS have had reports coming in about these crimes on a daily basis. A report from Wentworth SAPS communications office, Lt Mbuso Gumede said a woman who was waiting for the traffic light to change was attacked with stones being thrown at her car, causing her to stall on Tuesday, 21 June. “The attackers approached her and one grabbed her by the throat, pulling her out of the vehicle and throwing her on the ground,” he said.
The criminals searched the car for any valuables but while ransacking the car, a police car drove past the incident. The two men abandoned the car in the middle of the road and ran onto the railway lines by Merebank station. The traumatised woman, who was still on the floor, was assisted by a motorist who took her home. “Suffering from extreme trauma, she had to go for counselling. A case of attempted hijacking is being investigated by Montclair SAPS,” said Lt Gumede.
Motorists are urged to be extra vigilant especially at the intersection of South Coast, Pendlebury, and Himalayas roads. “Make sure you look around to see if anyone is walking in front of your vehicle, observe his actions. Make sure your doors are all locked, windows are up and all your valuables are not visible on the seat. Someone passing may see an opportunity to smash and grab these items if they are on the car seat,” said Lt Gumede.
On the same day, a man was stationary at the robots on Pendlebury Road when he noticed a man tapping on his window with a gun.
He spotted another man standing by the passenger side attempting to open the door.
“With a gun still being pointed at him, he unlocked the doors. The men jumped in the car and forced the victim to drive to a Lamontville taxi rank,” said Montclair SAPS communications officer, Lt Dereck Vijiam.
He was then forced to sit in the back and keep his head down. While the criminals drove around, he could hear the one tell his partner to throw him out of the vehicle. ” They stopped and told him to get out. They left him in Lamontville and drove off. The vehicle was fitted with a tracker and was later recovered in the same area.
These crimes happen mostly in the afternoon from 5.30pm to 5.30am. Police have stepped up patrols in the areas and blue light patrols are being conducted in the intersections 24/7.
- Crime Stop 086-0010-111 /10111.
- Wentworth SAPS on 031-451-6240/41/42 or
- Montclair SAPS on 031-469-8200
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