Brooklyn police have warned motorists to keep their car keys safe.
This after incidents were reported where vehicles were stolen with the keys.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said yesterday afternoon a 26-year-old woman parked her Ford Fiesta at the scout hall in Waterkloof where she was attending a dance class.
“An unknown woman came to sit next to her and asked for an enrolment form from the dance instructor. The woman then left.”
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Later on, in the evening the Ford owner was looking for her car keys in her handbag. She could not find them.
“When she went outside she discovered that her vehicle was also stolen. It is suspected that the unknown woman who sat next to her stole the keys and the vehicle.”
Weilbach said a similar incident was reported last month.
“A couple went to gamble at the casino in Menlyn and the 25-year-old man parked his vehicle inside the casino’s parking area.”
The couple put the car keys in front of them on the table where they were gambling and only realised later that the car keys had disappeared.
“When they went to the parking area they discovered that the vehicle was stolen. No arrests have been made yet.”
She said motorists must keep their car keys on them to ensure safety.
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“Restaurants and gyms or yoga studios are other places where car keys were previously stolen.
“Motorists are requested to always park intelligently to prevent theft of motor vehicles.”
She said criminals were deterred when vehicles are parked in spots that were clearly visible to the public eye.
“The more people that can see the vehicle, the less likely it is that someone is going to have time to break into the vehicle – without raising any suspicions.
“Parking spots that are well-lit at night and parking spaces close to CCTV cameras or security guards are all sensible options.
“Paid-for parking areas are also a safer alternative than free parking on pavements,” she said.
“Most vehicles are stolen from pavements in front of a business, school, church, hospitals or outside a house.”
She said schools and churches could assist the police to make provision for additional security for after-hour meetings, weekly sport practices and church activities that are taking place during the week.
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“Smaller standing alone businesses or home-based businesses have an obligation to enhance security for their clients’ vehicles by installing CCTV cameras, fencing off the parking areas or at least to employ a security or car guard.”
She said residents should invite their visitors to park inside their yards where possible.
Information that can assist police in the investigation of these cases can be given anonymously by phoning 08600-10111 or by sending an SMS to 32211 or by phoning the Brooklyn police’s 24-hour number at 012-366-1735/6.
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