Soshanguve man arrested in Moot for car theft
The man was arrested after he was ditched by his fellow car thieves.
A 27-year-old Soshanguve man was arrested over the weekend after he was ditched by his fellow car thieves in the Moot.
The arrest was made on the corner of De Beer Street and 9th Avenue on Saturday, according to police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt.
While on patrol, Constables Terry Baloyi and Savimbi Seopela from the Pretoria Moot precinct noticed three men pushing a white Volkswagen Polo down 9th Avenue, Breedt said.
“This made the officers suspicious.”
This was because of the “alarming” number of vehicle thefts reported in the Moot as of late and also since the Volkswagen Polo is considered to be “a high (theft) risk vehicle”.
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When the police officers approached the vehicle, the three suspects pushing the vehicle, noticed them.
They fled towards a waiting white Volkswagen Golf and made their getaway in it.
“When the suspects fled, one of them pointed something at one of the police officers,” said Breedt.
It was suspected to be a firearm.
“The police officers tried to stop the vehicle by shooting at the tyres,” he said.
The three men, however, still managed to escape. However, they left their accomplice behind in the stolen vehicle.
The man tried to run away, but was arrested.
Police seized a T-star, a wrench and other equipment used to break into vehicles.
The vehicle’s starter was damaged in the attempted theft.
Breedt said police were concerned by the rise in number of vehicle-related cases in the Moot area, compared to the same time last year.
“As many as two to three such cases were reported on some days,” he said.
The issue was raised with the local CPF and other interested parties.
Breedt said such crimes can only be addressed through vehicle owners taking responsibility for the safeguarding of their own vehicles.
These crimes can be prevented by simply applying a few practical tips:
– Admit that crime can happen to you.
– Remove all valuables when parking your vehicle.
– Do not leave anything in your vehicle which can draw any unwanted attention.
– Make sure your vehicle is properly locked. When using a remote control device, push the button twice to make sure it is locked.
– When visiting friends, relatives or shopping centres, check on the car regularly.
– Always be alert of your surroundings and report any suspicious vehicles or persons.
The station commander of Pretoria Moot police, Colonel Hlongweni Gibin Mashaba congratulated the police officers involved in the arrest for their good work.
He also asked the Moot community to be “the eyes and ears of the police”.
“We need to join hands in the fight against these types of crime,” he said.
Mashaba also urged residents to join the local CPF.
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