“The community is advised not to keep their belongings exposed while driving their vehicles. Do not put your hand bags on the passenger’s seat. Rather put it underneath the car seat or in the car boot,” warned Tlamela.
On 17 March at 8pm, a complainant was driving on New Road off-ramp in a northerly direction and stopped at the traffic light and waited for it to turn green.
Tlamela said suddenly she heard a bang on the passengers window, the window broke and her handbag was stolen. The hand bag contained her purse with cards and a cell phone at an estimated value of R15 000.
“Another theft out of motor vehicle occurred at the same spot few minutes after this incident. The complainant stopped at the traffic light waiting for it to turn green, suddenly she saw the shadow. While checking, she saw an unknown male who smashed her passenger window and grabbed her hand bag and ran away,” said Tlamela.
He hand bag contained bank cards and make-up at an estimated value of R80 000. “No one was arrested yet regarding the two cases and the police are busy with the investigations hoping to bring the suspects to book,” said Tlamela.
Tlamela offered the following tips to avoid theft out of motor vehicles:
- Do not leave your valuables in plain view, e.g. GPS devices, laptops and cell phones.
- Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
- Do not leave doors unlocked
- Do not leave keys in the vehicle
- Don’t leave the garage remote in plain view
- Do not leave items with personal information.
- Do not move valuable items to the boot in the public view
- Slow down and use common sense before you leave your car.
