Don’t be a victim of car break-ins

The Sandton weekly crime trends from 17 to 26 February highlighted that car break-ins are on the rise in the area.

According to Sandton Police Station spokesperson Captain Granville Meyer, car break-ins occur in places of interest such as shopping centres and the most targeted items are electronics. Meyer urged residents to be wary of car-jamming devices and the use of firearms.

Meyer provided five tips to help avoid car break-ins:

1. Don’t make it easy: Keep windows, doors and sunroofs closed. Thefts that occur are often from vehicles that have been left unlocked.
2. Take your identification and other valuables with you: Many smash-and-grab thieves act on impulse, so keep your personal identification and valuable items with you at all times. Remember, simply hiding personal items like wallets and purses in the passenger area of the vehicle will not protect them from being taken in a smash-and-grab break-in. Thieves are always watching, getting an idea of where your valuables are. They may also be watching for what you don’t take with you. They know that most people have wallets and purses while driving, so if they see you leave your vehicle without it you may be a target.
3. Stow your stuff before arrival: If you can’t carry an item with you, it is best to hide it before you arrive. Place any valuables you can’t carry with you in a locked boot out of sight.
4. Stash the evidence too: After you’ve put your ‘evidence’ in the boot, don’t forget other evidence such power plugs, MP3 adapters, and navigation system windshield suction-cup mounts. Thieves know what they’re looking for, so hide the electronic accessories, too.
5. Don’t depend on a vehicle’s alarm system: Anti-theft vehicle alarms are great, but they do not necessarily prevent break-ins. In fact, many vehicle alarm systems will not be triggered by vehicle tampering, including shattering a window to access the vehicle.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/252160/159-suspects-arrested-various-crimes-johannesburg-weekend/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/249830/sandtons-very-own-crime-scene-investigator/