Protect your valuables from prowling criminals this festive season
“Motorists should avoid parking in isolated areas that are not monitored by security or car guards.”
The Moot police have called on community members to be extra careful at this time as criminals up their search for vehicles and other valuables to steal to make money for the festive season.
“We are entering the festive season and criminals often commit more crime during this time of the year,” Moot police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt told Rekord.
Captain Breedt said during the festive season a lot of residents visit shopping centres shopping for the December holidays.
“The happy mood in the festive season is, however, often spoiled by criminals who also visit the shopping centres to steal vehicles and other valuables of the shoppers.”
He said the best possible solution to the problem is that the police and residents should work together in fighting crime, citing that residents should report suspicious activity to the police and follow safety measures to prevent becoming victims of crime.
Those interested in reporting suspicious people or vehicles to the police can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
According to Captain Breedt, the crime prevention tips encourage motorists to be careful when parking their vehicles at shopping centres.
“Motorists should avoid parking in isolated areas that are not monitored by car guards,” he said, adding that they should look for safe parking instead.
He said they should ensure that their vehicles are properly locked before leaving them in the parking bays.
“Checking whether the vehicle is properly locked or not can only be done through checking physically by hand that all doors including the boot of the vehicle are locked.”
He said besides the theft of motor vehicles, the police were also concerned about theft out of motor vehicles. He said motorists should be vigilant and refrain from leaving valuables visible inside a parked vehicle. He said that leaving valuables in sight inside the vehicle is even worse as it attracts criminals.
“A lot of valuables including laptops have been stolen from vehicles parked in various areas.”
He said community members should keep their valuables with them when shopping or leave them at home to prevent them from being stolen.
According to the police, they are doing their best to fight the theft of motor vehicles.
Last Sunday, the police recovered a stolen vehicle on the corner of Frederika Street and 17th Avenue and arrested two suspects, aged 22 and 43.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle was stolen in Roodepoort in 2020, he said.
“The suspects appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Monday and were remanded in custody for further investigation.”
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