Tracking devices key to recovering stolen vehicle
Thanks to the assistance of vehicle tracking companies, local police recovered two stolen vehicles on Saturday evening.
MALALANE – According to Sgt Bheki Nkosi of Malalane SAPS, police were notified on Saturday evening that two stolen vehicles were heading to the area and deployed to search for them.
The first was recovered around 17:00 at the Engen filling station, while the other was tracked down at the Inkwazi Centre around 18:00.
“It was just as police officers were changing shift, so criminals are keeping a close eye on police movements,” Nkosi remarked.
The one Toyota Hilux double cab was stolen in Gauteng and the other in Lydenburg.
Both were fitted with fake number plates.
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Two suspects were arrested and appeared in the Malalane Periodical Court on charges of possession of stolen vehicles on Monday.
Nkosi thanked vehicle tracking companies for their assistance and said that it made criminals’ lives more difficult.
Police along the N4 regularly recover stolen vehicles, with the majority being diesel double cab bakkies like Ford Rangers and Toyota Hiluxes. These vehicles are very sought after among smugglers.
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The vehicles are usually stolen and then fitted with false number plates or taken to chop shops to be altered before being smuggled over the border into Mozambique.
Police suspect the two vehicles most recently recovered were also headed for Mozambique.
In many cases, the vehicles were found thanks to tracking devices.
Nkosi urged owners of double cab bakkies to be on high alert and encouraged all vehicles owners to install security systems like trackers to prevent theft and help ensure the vehicle is recovered.
