Criminals now targeting car batteries in Pretoria west

A reaction unit member Willie Cronje has stated that theft of car batteries remained high in the west of Pretoria, with at least three batteries stolen per week, Rekord Moot reports.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but you would be amazed how many car batteries are stolen regularly,” he said.

“It is astonishing how quick a criminal can steal a car battery without setting off the alarm.”

This crime was of such a concern that AfriForum Pretoria West neighbourhood watch launched a campaign to mark car batteries.

As part of the markings, residents included a contact number on the battery.

“This way, if the car battery is stolen, it is now easier to track down,” chairperson Francois Oberholster said.

“We also spoke to scrap yard owners in the area to check when they receive a car battery for these markings.”

Oberholster said gate motor theft were also of concern in the area.

“Gate motors are stolen regularly in our area,” he said.

He urged residents to try and safeguard a gate motor as best as possible, to try and prevent falling victim to this crime.

“A good strong bracket is always good to use to secure your gate motor,” he said.

“Also make sure that you use a strong lock – small locks can be easily broken by criminals.”

Cronje said robberies and thefts were also a problem in the area.

“There is a white double-cab bakkie that has been seen on several occasions,” he said.

He said the bakkie did not have a registration number.

“We suspect that it is the same criminals operating in the area,” he said.

He said they were also receiving several reports of criminals using a firearm to threaten people and/or to hit them with.

“These crimes mostly happen in the Daspoort tunnel – there are many learners and other pedestrians that have been robbed,” he said.

“Criminals can then easily escape because they know that there is no place to pull over for a vehicle inside the tunnel.

“They then usually escape into the mountains on Phillip Nel Park’s side.”

Oberholster said they wanted to create awareness of the rising crimes in the area and urged residents to remain vigilant.