Garsfontein police spokesperson Dave Miller said there were two main reasons why certain vehicles remained popular among criminals. Re-usable and durable parts to be stripped and exporting certain brands to neighbouring countries.
“The perpetrators steal some cars to sell off the parts for profit. Some vehicle parts remain in high demand for vehicle thieves because they sell off the parts to bidding buyers,” Miller said.
“After suspects are arrested in possession of a stolen vehicle, you’ll find hijackings or vehicle thefts in those areas often die down.”
Miller said this would often be the case because criminals avoided a particular area after an arrest had been made.
Private investigator Mike Bolhuis said he strongly believed a syndicate for certain brand vehicles was controlling theft operations. He said he believed a special ‘order syndicate’ targeted certain vehicles and provided lucrative rewards for the theft of particular bakkies.
“The parts are easily separated and chopped, to make a profit,” Bolhuis said.
Miller said police special units were investigating this the probability of syndicates.Bolhuis said engines were taken out of stolen bakkies only to be used in a different bakkie.
“Engine numbers are changed because syndicate is usually professional enough to avoid capture,” Bolhuis said.
Miller said bakkies were not the only vehicles targeted. VW, Ford and many older version cars were targeted.
He said knowing crime hotspots helped to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of vehicle theft.
“Checking that the vehicle is locked after pressing the remote lock button could prevent thefts,” Miller said.
Vehicle owner Gawie Wolmarans who found his Hilux bakkie after it had been stolen a month earlier said police found the dashboard ripped apart.
“Unfortunately, most of the dashboard of the Hilux was stripped while the thieves were making a getaway,” Wolmarans said.
“The bonnet was also cut open to gain access to the immobiliser before it was stolen,” Wolmarans said.
Miller said police were aware of this method of disengaging vehicle immobilisers.
“In a situation such as with Wolmarans, it was safe to assume the vehicle would have been stripped for parts,” Miller said.
The stolen Hilux of Wolmarans was found by police after a high-speed chase that ended with the Hilux crashing after skipping a red light.
Also read:
Car thieft caught while sleeping
Man arrested for suspected car theft
Three nabbed for attempted car theft
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