Crime in the city is on the increase as the festive season approaches and residents are cautioned to continue their vigilance despite the relaxed holiday spirit. On Tuesday morning criminals targeted a vehicle parked outside a preschool in Van Wijk street. A mother's handbag was stolen out of the vehicle while she was inside the school dropping her child off in class. A white Citi Golf with Gauteng number plates was noticed parked in the street.
Earlier that same morning another preschool was hit in a similar fashion – and the same vehicle was reportedly spotted there at the time.
In another incident, this time in the Village shopping centre a woman's vigilance prevented her from becoming a victim of a “remote control scam”. The lady noticed that her car wouldn't lock when she exited the vehicle and immediately suspected something was wrong. She noticed a white bakkie parked nearby with three occupants. The bakkie sped off when she took out her phone to call Hi-Tech.
Also on Tuesday morning at around 03:00, Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit received a panic signal from an old age home in Arling street. “One of the residents of Laeveld Ouetehuis pushed a panic button when she noticed a suspect roaming in her garden,” said Vernon Lancaster, General Manager at Hi-Tech nelspruit. “Our reaction members arrived at the scene and upon investigation discovered that a wheelchair had been stolen.”
Lancaster pointed out that the criminals who target vehicles are opportunists and will only break into a car if they can see something valuable either on the seat or the floor of the vehicle. “Because they have to operate relatively quickly, these guys dont have time to break into your vehicle and search for something that may be valuable. One thing many people forget to remove from their cars, is the GPS unit stuck to their windshield. Not only is that device very valuable, but once criminals have your GPS, they will also have your house address. Your house will now become a target.”
He warned the public to make sure eveything is taken out of the car when parked around the city or even at home. “Even an empty bag on a seat could resemble a laptop or something of value. Don't leave anything in your car.”
