Police suspect foul play in Ballito ‘thefts’

Umhlali SAPS suspect that people are opening or exaggerating theft out of motor vehicle cases.

Police spokesperson warrant officer Vinny Pillay said most of the suspicious cases are being opened by Ballito residents.

“You have to ask yourself, who goes down the road to do shopping with a laptop, a suitcase full of clothes, jewelry and other items valued at amounts like R100 000 and so on in the car?”

They suspect that people are opening these cases in order to claim from insurance.

“Insurance companies do not always do a thorough investigation and it just so happens that in many of these cases, the items that are reported as stolen are also insured,” said Pillay

He warned that if people are found to have opened false cases, they face being charged with perjury.

Weekend crime report

Umhlali SAPS attended two break-ins, and the robberies of two residents last weekend.

• A house was broken into in Etete near the R102 main road on Friday and a television, a DVD player, hair clipper, cosmetics and groceries were stolen.
• Meanwhile, also on Friday, a store at Auro Farm, Compensation was broken into. Entrance was gained through the back door and items valued at R4 300 were stolen.
• A man was arrested for robbing a resident at Sugar Rush Park on Friday. According to police, there was a party and the victim jumped the fence and the alleged robber took his cellphone and money.
• Another man was held up at gunpoint by four men at Kwangubo, Compensation, on Saturday who took his gun and cellphone.

Umhlali SAPS urge residents and holidaymakers not to leave valuable items in their cars when they are going to the beach.

Contact Umhlali SAPS on 032-9479900.

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