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David Kukard said he arrived at the mall at precisely 5.15pm and when he came out 15 minutes later, his vehicle was gone.
Within a matter of 10 minutes after arriving at Newcastle Mall on October 20, a resident’s Isuzu bakkie was stolen.
“My bakkie was my livelihood. I recently opened a business and used my vehicle to transport stock. Now I will have to make a plan to get my stock out,” explained David Kukard.
Kukard said he arrived at the mall at precisely 5.15pm and when he came out 15 minutes later, his vehicle was gone.
He immediately rushed to the mall’s security room, where it was determined the vehicle was driven off the mall’s property at 5.25pm.
“The footage showed two men approaching my bakkie. One man was carrying a bag, while another was on a cellphone.”
The two men swiftly opened the vehicle’s doors and drove off.
“My son contacted Newcastle 911 Community Policing and two of its members responded within minutes, before taking the details of my bakkie and beginning their search.”
Kukard has since opened a case with Newcastle SAPS.
However, his vehicle was not the only bakkie targeted this past weekend.
On Saturday, October 21, a man was arrested after he allegedly attempted to break into a bakkie.
The suspect was spotted by the mall’s security team and was taken into custody as he attempted to flee the scene.
Kukard still believed something needed to be done to enhance security at Newcastle Mall.
“They have the boom gates up, but they don’t work. The car guards also don’t help, as I heard of another vehicle being stolen from a car guard’s area.”
He believed once the boom gates were operational, it would minimise car thefts.
“I would gladly pay for parking if I knew my car was safe, because car thieves would not be able to leave the property without the proper tickets.”
ALSO READ: SAPS warns about vehicle theft
Determined to have his vehicle back, Kukard has offered a reward for its return.
“If anyone has information on my vehicle’s whereabouts, they can contact me on 061 496 3060.”
Newcastle Mall’s Management team expressed its dismay at the recent events.
“We have unfortunately had vehicles stolen from the mall before,” said Marketing Manager, Beulah Rajkumar.
Newcastle Mall stated it would be taking proactive steps in this regard.
“All security related incidents are thoroughly investigated. There is a continuous focus on introducing additional security measures, such as the boom gates.”
Rajkumar explained the landlord was currently giving serious consideration to introducing a boom gate system, plus other security measures which would minimise security breaches at Newcastle Mall and in its parking lot.
“The Mall has also enhanced the camera surveillance facility for the entire parking area.”
On behalf of the mall, Rajukumar thanked those who assisted with combating crime in the area.
“We want to thank SAPS, and all other security and crime fighting firms, and institutions, for their continuous support, and commend them on the tremendous work they are doing,” she concluded.
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