Thieves smash, grab and roll
Motorist must take extra precaution to safeguard their vehicles against thieves.
Corlia Kruger
Theft of motor vehicles and theft out of vehicles are still on the rise.
According to police and members of the CPF, thieves are still targeting vehicles in parking lots. Smash and grab incidents are on the rise and motorist are warned against opportunistic hijackers on the road.
“Smash and grab incidents occur mostly when the driver has valuable items in sight, like a handbag or purse on the passenger seat,” says Sinoville police spokesperson, Mirna von Benecke. Sinoville and surrounding areas have seen a drastic increase of thefts from and of motor vehicles.
She warned motorists not to leave valuable items in their vehicles in any open parking lot, whether it is in front of a school, church or shopping centre.
“Motorists should avoid talking on their cellphones while driving. Not only is it against the law but it also makes drivers an easy target for smash-and-grab thieves.
“If they cannot see your cellphone, handbag or valuable items, they will not be inclined to break your window,” says Von Benecke.
With a proactive approach to avoid thefts, motorists can also help lower crime rates.
Motor vehicle thefts in Pretoria North is ongoing and residents are warned to take the same proactive precautions to avoid becoming a thief’s next victim.
“We were informed of two attempted hijackings last month,” says deputy chairperson of the Pretoria North CPF, Steven Coetzee.
He says four cases of motor vehicle thefts are under investigation.
“The central business district remains a hotspot for theft out of motor vehicles,” he says.
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