Westville SAPS foil car theft

THREE remote jammers were arrested in the Westville area this afternoon during an attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Westville crime prevention member, W/O Desan Pillay was on duty at about 2pm and was scouting local shopping centers where there had been numerous reports of theft of, and out of, vehicles.

“He spotted three men in a silver 320i BMW at the Westville Mall parking lot. The three were wandering around, appearing to be talking on cell phones, but Pillay noted they were actually scoping out parked cars,” said Sergeant Stephen Clark, media spokesman for the Westville SAPS.

Pillay followed the group when they left the parking area and drove to the SuperSpar in Church Road. The group had targeted a shopper, Richard Bunting, who had parked his Land Rover Freelander.

He pressed his remote to lock the vehicle and walked away but the group had remote jammed it from locking. “Pillay called for backup and several units close by responded to help jam either vehicle if it got away,” said Clark.

One of the men climbed out of the BMW and made his way to the Land Rover. Pillay moved closer and watched the man open the driver’s door, climb inside the vehicle and start searching it for valuables.

“W/O Pillay approached him, challenged him and in a second the man was in handcuffs, without his colleagues even knowing,” said Clark.

The rest of the remote jamming group drove around the parking towards the Land Rover. As they passed Pillay, he leapt out and stopped them. The remaining two men were also arrested and several remote jamming devices were found.

All three men, aged 32, 37 and 40 were detained at the Westville SAPS for attempted theft of motor vehicle and possession of car breaking implements.

“The BMW, along with their equipment, was logged in as exhibits in the case. Detectives are investigating to see what other cases the trio may be linked to. The suspects will be charged and will appear in court soon,” said Clark.

Bunting, the owner of the Land Rover, said he was extremely grateful for the arrest and for W/O Pillay’s good work. Both Westville SAPS Station Commander, Colonel Emmanuel, and CPF Chairman, Mike Myers, also commended Pillay for his continued diligence and dedication to the Westville community.