Police are looking for two suspects who robbed a woman on her own driveway in Luipaardsvlei. They have also warned community members to be vigilant, and not to fall into the same trap.
Also read: House robbers sentenced to 230 and 163 years respectively
In June, a woman reversed out of her yard and parked on her driveway to wait for the electric gate to close. While she was waiting, two people jumped into the car, held her at knife point and took her handbag. Her car doors were unlocked at the time, making access to her vehicle easy.
The handbag contained R10 000 in cash, a Samsung Tablet valued at R5 000 and her ID document.
Photo: Submitted.
Both the perpetrators fled on foot.
If you know the whereabouts of these persons, or have any information to share, please contact the Krugersdorp Police Station on 011 951 1152/ 1.
Arrive Alive has offered some tips for staying safe while leaving your home …
Safe driving
• Lock all your doors and close the windows when driving – never open vehicle windows or doors for strangers
• Avoid opening your windows or getting involved in discussions with street vendors or anyone handing out flyers
• Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious-looking characters
• Always be conscious of your surroundings and remain alert when approaching an intersection or stopping your vehicle
• Be wary of people standing at intersections – they may be innocent but perpetrators mix with these people while waiting for an opportunity to pounce
• If you encounter obstacles such as rocks or tyres on the road, do not get out of your vehicle to remove them. Reverse immediately and drive off in the opposite direction
• If it’s late at night, slow down well in advance so that the traffic light ahead changes to green before you reach the intersection
• Leave a gap between you and the car in front of you to give you room to escape (i.e. drive away from the scene), if anything should happen
• Be especially wary whenever you see broken glass lying on the road. If the pieces of glass are still scattered across the road, chances are that a smash-and-grab occurred just recently
Taking away the attraction
• Reduce the chances of becoming a target by removing the articles criminals are trying to get their hands on from the interior of your car
• Smash-and-grab car burglars aren’t exactly criminal masterminds. Many simply act on impulse
• Don’t have bags, cellular phones, briefcases or other valuables visible inside the vehicle – valuables only attract thieves who may break your car window to get at them
• Hide your valuables. Car floors, cubbyholes, dashboards and under seats are not good places to leave items
• If you can’t take valuable items with you, hide them out of sight in the car’s boot
Safety when parking
• Thieves target car parks. Always park your car in attended parking lots
• When parking at night, ensure that you always park in a well-lit area
• Keep your car visible. Thieves do not want witnesses – you can help prevent a smash-and-grab by parking your car in a crowded area near pedestrian and vehicle traffic
• Never sit in your vehicle without being conscious of your surroundings
• Lock your doors and roll up your windows when you park
• Activate your security system
• Consider window tinting (if permitted by local laws)
• Avoid using the console or glove box as a mobile lock-box
• Don’t hand a car thief your keys. Leaving your keys on the dash or in the ignition is an invitation to a car thief. And keep in mind that if you have a great hiding place for a spare key (in your wheel well or above your sun visor), a thief will have thought of it too
• Stow your belongings, such as shopping bags and laptops, in the boot before you get to the parking area
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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