Springs car theft: Journalist’s vehicle recovered but stripped and looted
The journalist was attending an event for work when the car was stolen.
A Springs Advertiser journalist attending an event in the Springs CBD had her car stolen from the nearby parking area on the afternoon of May 13.
The tracking company in Thokoza, south of Alberton, later recovered the car. The entire steering column was damaged and stripped to hotwire the car because the ignition and door lock were engaged with brute force.
Some panels were removed from the interior to start stripping for parts, and some items were stolen, including the journalist’s work laptop, spare wheel and tools, and minor items like a pool cue and an umbrella.
The journalist received a message from the tracking company that something might be wrong with the car. But having received many false alarms in the past and having had no issues with parking in the area, she disregarded it.
A few minutes later, she heard a car alarm and decided to check on her car, just in case. She then found it missing, after which she called her tracking company.
“It took me three tries. I googled the number for Netstar three times before getting the right emergency number, but when I got through to the right one, they were quick to help,” she said.
What followed was a serious response, with an agent frequently calling to confirm identifying marks of the vehicle until it was found.
A case of motor vehicle theft had to be opened with the SAPS for the response team to take possession of the car and take it to the SAPS Aeroton Vehicle Identification Service Unit in Johannesburg south.
The case was made in Brakpan, where the journalist lives, but was transferred to the Springs SAPS that night. Responders in Johannesburg dusted for fingerprints on the vehicle, and the investigation is underway.
To claim the vehicle from the pound was not easy. After arriving, the journalist had to look for her car among hundreds to take a photo of a reference number painted on the window.
After getting the reference number and providing identification for the car owner, the journalist had to wait several hours before being helped by a SAPS member to release the car to her.
A couple of forms and certified copies of the owner’s ID and the registration papers later, the journalist could remove the car from the pound.
As the ignition unit was destroyed, the insurance company covering the car had to send one of its towing contractors to tow the car to the journalist’s home.
“We’re now in the process of claiming with the insurance and getting quotes to repair the damage and replace the missing parts and items.
“It’s strange, maybe, but I am upset they stole my pool cue because it was a gift. Just goes to show, always check on your car if your tracking company sends a message, even if you get 1 000 false alarms.”
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