Theft of motor vehicles in the Moot creates endless frustration
Police, the CPF and security companies have been busy fighting these crimes lately.
Thefts out of and from motor vehicles are still a headache in the Moot area as six incidents were reported to law enforcement agencies over the past week.
Attempted burglary and motorcycle thefts are rife in the area.
Kilnerpark Security (KPS) spokesperson Ancelize van der Kooi said that officials helped during a burglary in Lawson Avenue on Sunday.
“Video footage shows that an unknown number of suspects fled the premises in a black Nissan Juke. The suspects fled the scene with a television, telephone and jewellery, among other things,” said Van der Kooi.
Three incidents of attempted vehicle theft as well as two incidents of theft of a vehicle were reported to KPS on Saturday.
“About five suspects tried to steal a vehicle in Hertzog Street. The suspects drove in a double cab bakkie.
“KPS and the police were notified to be on the lookout for a Volkswagen Polo after four suspects attempted to steal goods from a handbag at a local shopping centre in Gezina,” said Van der Kooi.
“A Volkswagen Polo was stolen in front of a school in Waverley. However, no suspects were spotted.
“Another suspect was arrested after an attempt was made to steal a grey double cab bakkie in Codonia Avenue,” she said.
A white Range Rover, also in Codonia Avenue, was stolen by an unknown number of suspects.
“The statistics we received indicate that VW Polos are very popular among criminals. Vehicles were also stolen on Walter and 10th avenues respectively.
“A motorcycle parked outside a yard in Anna Wilson Street during the night also disappeared without a trace,” said Van der Kooi.
Villieria police station spokesperson Warrant Officer Marinda Austin mentioned that several thefts of motor vehicles, as well as theft from vehicles, were reported at the station.
“Nissan NP200 bakkies, as well as Volkswagen Polos, are especially targeted.
Austin advised motorists to always be vigilant.
“Watch out when you leave your home for any strange vehicles or people hanging around aimlessly.”
Moot CPF chairperson Elsabe Weyers said that the area’s crime statistics are currently in the “red”.
“General crime and business robberies are a big trend in the area. We especially want to ask that school children not walk around with their electronic devices as well as sports bags.
“Avoid leaving any visible items lying around in your yard,” said Weyers.
What can you do to protect yourself?
The two most important things are to always pay attention to your surroundings and to never leave valuable items in clear sight of any passing pedestrian.
“Criminals don’t need a lot of time to strike.”
Weyers offers further tips and advice:
– Leave valuable items in the boot or store them safely under your seats.
– If you find yourself in an area where traffic is moving very slowly (for example, because of congestion or due to a defective traffic light) make sure you keep your eyes open for any pedestrian movement around your vehicle.
– Avoid distractions. Your focus should be on the safe operation of your vehicle and nothing else. The phone call and the cigarette can wait.
– Lock your doors and keep the windows closed.
– Avoid sitting in your car for a prolonged period (along the side of the road or perhaps in a parking garage) where you potentially become an easy target, while concentrating on a phone call or something else that distracts you from your surroundings.
– Leave a gap between you and the car in front of you to give you room to escape (i.e. drive away from any incident), if anything should happen.
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