Vehicle owners urged to safeguard their cars as thefts spike
Vehicle thieves had a field day in Brakpan last week.
There was a surge in vehicle thefts in Brakpan last week, with six cars and a motorcycle stolen, as well as two attempted vehicle thefts.
Police information reveals both attempted thefts took place last Thursday. The first was a white Toyota Etios parked at the corner of Queen Avenue and High Street.
The vehicle was parked at this location between 11:30 and 12:47. When the owner returned to the car, it was found a door lock had been tampered with and the vehicle was unlocked.
The ignition cover was pulled off and wires were left on the seats. The second attempted theft took place between 16:05 and 16:20 at the Sherwood Shopping Centre in Brakpan North.
The owner of the silver GWM Steed found the ignition had been tampered with. On Friday, two cars and a motorcycle were stolen.
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A green CM single cab bakkie was stolen from Gladstone Avenue between 18:30 and 18:45, a blue Pulsar motorcycle was stolen from Prince George Avenue between 18:00 and 19:00, and a white Volkswagen Polo Vivo was stolen from Eufees Avenue in Dalview between 20:00 and 07:00 the following morning.
The Brakpan Indoor Sports Centre along Elliot Road was the scene of two thefts on Saturday. A white Ford Focus was stolen between 08:10 and 13:30, and a white Toyota Fortuner was stolen between 11:30 and 13:00.
Two thefts were also reported at an address along Hendrik Street in Sunair Park on Saturday. Two Toyota bakkies were stolen from the property between 23:00 and sometime the following morning.
The owner received a phone call from his vehicle tracking company just after 05:00 on Sunday morning alerting him to suspicious activity.
Vehicle owners are urged to be cautious and to protect their vehicles and valuables from potential theft.
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The following tips are offered to safeguard vehicles:
• Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car. Make sure your vehicle is locked by visually and manually inspecting the doors.
• Consider using steering wheel locks or additional vehicle security systems to deter thieves. Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition. Remove detachable radios and the radio’s face when getting out of the car. Lock away valuables in the boot.
• Be mindful of your surroundings when parking in public areas. Choose well-lit, busy locations when possible.
Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/ someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide. Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars.
• If you notice any suspicious behaviour or individuals tampering with vehicles, contact the police immediately.
Safety tips sourced from www.saps.gov.za
