Despite awareness campaigns to educate motorists on how to prevent red-light robberies, the crime is still prevalent in the east.
This was according to police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach who said these robberies or smash and grab incidents were “preventable crimes” and motorists could assist the SAPS by taking basic precautionary measures.
She said during January, three cases of theft out of a motor vehicle were reported whereby perpetrators grabbed items from vehicles after they smashed the windows.
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“These crimes were scattered and were not concentrated in one area.”
The intersections that were targeted were on the corners of Lynnwood Road and Meiring Naude Street, Atterbury Road and 11th Street and the N1 and Garsfontein Road.
“Perpetrators often select intersections where they can make a fast getaway.”
She said two of the incidents occurred between 05:00 and 06:00 in the morning and the third at 18:30 in the evening and the victims were all women between the ages of 24 and 55.
In all incidents, handbags were taken from the front seats.
“One of the perpetrators pretended to be a beggar. After the motorist refused to give him something, he broke her window and grabbed her handbag.”
She warned that chances of becoming a target could be reduced by hiding your valuables in the boot.
“Car floors, dashboards and seats are not the best places to leave any items. Most laptops and handbags are stolen [from] underneath car seats.
“Even a lunch box that is left on the seat can create an opportunity for thieves to commit a crime.
“SAPS Brooklyn continue to educate community members on a daily basis on how to safeguard themselves.”
Six years ago, the station launched a motorist safety campaign “Boot it or Lose it”.
Weilbach said during January the campaign showed results after theft out of motor vehicle cases declined by more than 30 percent.
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