Theft out of motor vehicle spreads throughout Midrand, 2 suspects arrested
Midrand police warn motorists to lock their cars at shopping malls and centres as theft out of motor vehicles surges across various suburbs.
While Midrand continues to grapple with a surge in motor vehicle thefts, two suspects were arrested at one of the area’s flagship locations – Big Bird Garage on the N1.
The suspects, aged 32 and 44, were apprehended by members of the Midrand Business Watch, a task team established to combat the growing issue of theft from motor vehicles. They have been charged with possession of stolen property and theft out of a motor vehicle.
Station spokesperson and social crime coordinator, Sergeant Thabiso Angelina Selowa-Kutu, said incidents of theft from vehicles have been reported across several areas, including Halfway House, Carlswald, Sanridge, Waterfall, Midway Mews, and Big Bird.
Also read: Midrand Sector 3 Crime Forum holds patrol at hotspots
She explained that on July 9, around 06:00, members of the Midrand Business Watch reported for observation duties, focusing on property-related crimes –specifically theft from vehicles – at Engen Big Bird.
“Upon arrival, they received a report that a Hyundai i20 had been broken into earlier that morning. The members requested to view the footage. The suspects’ car was established, and the members contacted Vumacam to check if they could locate the suspects. Around 07:49 on the same day, the members received a call from Vumacam that the suspects’ car was located in Edenvale,” said Selowa-Kutu.
She said the members requested backup, and Night Guard Security personnel successfully apprehended the suspects. It was discovered that the registration plates mounted on the suspects’ vehicle did not match the licence disc.
Upon further investigation, officers found a second set of registration plates inside the vehicle that did correspond with the disc.
“The duo had two laptops, which they failed to provide passwords for. The suspects were arrested and taken to Midrand SAPS. Both suspects are from Soshanguve, and their car was handed in for enquiries since it was used in the commission of a crime,” added Selowa-Kutu.
The complainant, who was already at Midrand SAPS to open a case, was able to positively identify her laptop.
Selowa-Kutu said the members then inspected the second laptop bag and were able to establish its ownership. The second victim was contacted and informed authorities that her car had been broken into in Sandton, at Alston Garage on Witkoppen Road in Paulshof.
Both victims successfully identified their laptops using passwords.
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