Another Quantum at crime scene – is a syndicate at large?
A syndicate travelling around in a white Toyota Quantum minibus resembling a taxi is terrorising business and residential areas, breaking into at least three vehicles over the weekend.
Mr Christo Stemmet from the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that an Isuzu Bakkie and Toyota Fortuner were simultaneously broken into on Friday evening at about 19:55 and that the four suspects fled with their loot in a matter of seconds.
Mr Stemmet said that employees at the chamber were suspicious of the break-ins after noticing broken glass in the parking area on numerous occasions, “It was after one of the victims approached us on Saturday morning, asking us to review our CCTV footage, that we saw on camera how a minibus without registration plates, containing eight occupants, stopped in our parking area and smashed the windows of the two vehicles, stealing the possessions left inside.”
Mr Stemmet explained that the video footage shows the minibus driving into the parking area and idling for a while before leaving. The bus then turns around and returns, with four of the eight suspects climbing out and breaking into both vehicles at the same time.
While CCTV footage shows only two vehicles falling victim to the gang, they suspect a third vehicle was broken into later over the weekend after broken glass was again noticed in the parking area on Sunday.
“We have never struggled with crime in the area before, but it certainly has escalated in the last three to four months, and the escalation can certainly be ascribed to people leaving their valuables in their vehicles.”
Ms Nicolene Breytenbach, the driver of the Isuzu bakkie that was broken into, confirmed the incident, adding that her R40 000 camera was stolen during the break-in, “We opened a case at the Middelburg Police Station, but they showed no interest. I went in personally to acquire the video footage, and even though we handed it over to the police, the case was closed by Sunday based on a lack of evidence.”
Mr Stemmet pointed out the uncanny similarities between the minibus involved in the vehicle break-ins with that of a theft at a residence in Sangiro Street over the weekend, where a bicycle and two motorcycles were also stolen, “It’s the same pattern: a white Quantum minibus with no registration plates and reflective strips on the side. The reverse lights flicker. Four suspects climb out of the waiting van.”
• In response to the break-in at Sangiro Street, Titon Security pointed out that the same Quantum bus has been involved in numerous other break-ins, particularly targeting tyres and motorcycles.
Ms Breytenbach wished to thank Mr Stemmet from the MCCI for his friendly assistance in reviewing their footage and handing it over to the police.
To watch CCTV footage of the break-in at Sangiro Street, visit the following link:
