A MORNING out on the waves turned into a nightmare for two eMdloti surfers last Thursday. The friends had parked their cars next to each other on eMdloti’s North Beach and had decided to surf. However, when they returned both their cars had been stolen.

According to Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, the surfers may have been watched by the robbers, who waited to make their move.

“One of the men left his car keys in his friend’s boot, while his friend left his car keys on the inner rim of his front wheel arch. The incident occurred between 10am and 11am, and when the surfers returned they realised their cars had been stolen. We believe the surfers were watched.

“This is not an isolated incident. There have been a number of thefts out of motor vehicles (with no forced entry) in the same area. Surfers are normally targeted because they often leave their keys under the wheel or bumper, or in the wheel arch,” he said.

Deokaran is warning residents as well as surfers in the area to be especially mindful of leaving their valuables in plain sight.