Sales man unharmed after ‘potential buyers’ pull out firearm
"During the test drive, one of the two suspects sitting at the back will take out a firearm and point it at the salesman who is in the front passenger seat.
A new crime trend where car salespersons are being held at gunpoint and cars stolen by “potential clients” has been noted in the Moot area recently.
According to police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt, car dealers and salesmen are being hijacked when giving these “clients” a test drive.
“During the test drive, one of the two culprits sitting at the back will take out a firearm and point it at the salesperson who is in the front passenger seat,” Breedt said.
“In a recent case, these men drove off with a salesman and later dropped him off in the north of Pretoria.
“They then fled with the luxury vehicle. Fortunately no one was injured.”
Moot police station commander, Colonel Hlegeni Giben Mashaba warned the community, business owners and second-hand car dealerships of this crime trend.
“It has become more violent and putting safety plans in place can save a life,” he said.
Breedt provided the following safety tips to car dealers or salesmen:
– Only take the customer/buyer for the vehicle on the test drive.
– Take the driver’s licence to identify the driver and keep the licence at the office until the customer returns.
– Tell more than one salesperson when taking customer for a test drive.
– Use planned roads and not that of the customer.
– Report suspicious persons or vehicles.
– Car hijackers seldom work alone. They operate in a well-organised environment.
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