A Norkem Park student, who was the victim of a smash and grab in broad daylight at a busy intersection, warns motorists to be vigilant.Although the thief only got away with her lunch box, Tayla Blythe (20) will not forget that morning of May 29.
“It was a normal Thursday morning and I was on my way to work around 7.30am. I stopped at the intersection of the P91 and Pretoria Road. There were other cars too. I was about three cars behind the first vehicle at the light,” Blythe recalled.
“I suddenly heard a big ‘boom’ sound at the passenger window. The first thought that came to mind was to grab my handbag, which was on the floor.”
The man, wearing a black jersey, tried three times before he managed to break the window. He grabbed her lunch box, the only thing on the seat, and ran away.
The traumatised UNISA human resources student got out of her car and sat down next to the road. Two women who saw what happened got out of their cars to help her. She called her dad who was still at home.
“I would like to send out a strong warning to all drivers who commute that way daily. My biggest shock was that it was 7.30am in peak hour traffic.”
She reported the incident at Norkem Park Police Station. The case had since been moved to Kempton Park SAPS.
Kempton Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Jethro Mtshali, confirmed the incident and pleaded with motorists to be more vigilant and careful with their belongings.
“People should put their valuables somewhere out of sight; under the seat or in the boot,” Mtshali said.
“Smash and grab incidents unfortunately happen all the time and are difficult to curb. The only thing we can ask people to do is be more careful, so that when something like this does occur, criminals don’t get away with your most valuable items.”
“Also, if it is at night and you’re driving alone and come across an intersection, do not stop at a red traffic light. Rather yield, especially if there aren’t any other cars on the road.”
Since the incident, Blythe has become much more aware of her surroundings.
“I am just so glad I survived the incident without anything too bad happening to me. It takes one time for something like this to happen and only then do you learn and take the proper precautionary measures, I sure have. Prevention is always better than cure.”
