A stolen Toyota Hilux was found parked inside the Benoni Police Station’s yard last Wednesday.

According to Captain Nomsa Sekele, the police station’s spokesperson, suspicions were raised about the presence of the vehicle, parked among members’ private vehicles, after it had not moved from the spot for two weeks.

“Inspections of the police station are conducted at every shift change,” Sekele explains.

“Shift commanders became suspicious of the vehicle when it did not move for days on end, prompting them to start looking within our offices for its owner.

“Nobody working at the police station claimed the vehicle, which led to further investigations.”

According to Frederick Koen of NoJack Vehicle Tracking in Northmead, he was at the police station to book a GWM bakkie with cloned registration and vehicle identification numbers (Vin) as evidence, when he was asked to assist in inspecting the Hilux.

“Upon inspection, it was immediately found that the number plates did not meet the SABS standard,” says Koen.

“A fake set of plates was placed over the original plates, which matched the description of a bakkie reported as stolen in Randburg.”

It is suspected the criminals parked the vehicle inside the police station’s property to ascertain whether it is being tracked.

“This incident has once again proven how brazen criminals can be, using law enforcement property to store their loot,” says Sekele.

“Investigations into the case are currently underway and necessary steps will be taken to guard against this happening in future.”

Sekele states that ongoing working relationships between private security companies and the police are vital in the fight against crime.

Koen says that cloning of vehicle registration numbers as well as Vin is an ongoing battle for companies specialising in the tracking and recovery of vehicles.

“We are currently investigating cases where a large number of GWM Steed 5 double cabs and Toyota Etios’s are on the streets bearing cloned vehicle identification information,” he adds.

“If you suspect that your vehicle’s information may have been tampered with, do not hesitate to contact us for more information or assistance.”

Today is World Press Freedom Day.

Irma Green, Group Editor of Caxton Local Media, says the threat to local journalism has become more prevalent over the past two years.

“Even on a hyperlocal level we are experiencing an increase of events where our journalists are threatened, intimidated and withheld from reporting on stories in their communities. We do, however, act vigorously on these threats and haven’t shied away to address any of the threats made against us.

“It does have an impact on our journalists and their well-being as many of these threats are directed not only to them but also towards their families.”