Garsfontein police managed to recover two stolen vehicles in two separate incidents last week – on the same day.
Last week Tuesday, a white Mazda 2 was reported stolen outside a local business on Windsor Street in Garsfontein, according to police spokesperson Captain Ilze Jones.
Police received information the stolen car was heading towards Mamelodi and intercepted it.
The stolen vehicle was boxed in by several police vehicles on the corner of Solomon Mahlangu Road and Bendeman Boulevard in Silverlakes.
The car thief allegedly opened fire on the police when he was cornered.
“I heard a loud gunshot, which was like a warning, and a second shot followed,” said an eyewitness, Deon du Toit.
“A short while later, I saw the cops apprehending the man.”
Earlier the vehicle’s owner, who also works at the business, thought she had misplaced her keys when they went missing some weeks ago.
When she could not find the keys, the owner decided to use her spare keys, hoping the original keys would reemerge at some time.
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“The suspect was found in possession of the original keys,” said Jones.
Police suspect the man may have stolen the keys when he visited the business, pretending to be a customer.
“The owner of the vehicle said she remembers him from when he came to ask for a quotation at the business on the day her keys went missing,” Jones said.
Jones said the police responded speedily with the help of community forums, security groups as well as members of the community.
In a separate incident on the same day, a suspected stolen vehicle was spotted and stopped in the Wilgers area.
Jones said the car was found to have a false registration plate and VIN number.
“Drugs were also recovered in the vehicle.”
Jones said the number of vehicle-related thefts, including thefts out of motor vehicles as well as smash-and-grab robberies, were high throughout the city.
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“There is still a large amount of motorists who do not take precautions such as closing windows and ensuring that doors are locked.”
She reminded residents that vehicles get stolen even in seemingly safe areas.
“Park in a well-lit area,” she advised. “Ensure that you keep your keys safe; do not leave them lying around.”
In statistics released by the minister of police last year, Garsfontein’s motor vehicle thefts had increased by 59.9 percent.
Jones said police were enforcing crime prevention plans to ensure the safety of the public.
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