Two vehicles were stolen after their owners had stepped away for a few minutes in the neighbourhoods of eMalahleni over the weekend.

In the first incident, a 10-minute shopping trip turned into a nightmare for a woman when her vehicle was stolen from a parking lot in broad daylight. The incident occurred at a local shopping centre in Del Judor on October 10.

The motorist told the police that she had parked her car, a Gold Lexus LX450D, and entered a store.

She told the police that she had been gone for no more than 10 minutes. And in those 10 minutes, her wheels were stolen.

The Witbank SAPS has urged motorists to remain vigilant and ensure that their vehicles are locked and parked in well-lit areas, even during daytime hours.

“The motorist saw the CCTV footage from the parking lot. The thieves had their faces covered with balaclavas, and it cannot be proved whether they were males or females,” said the Witbank SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant David Ratau.

No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

In the second incident, a man told the police that he had met three ladies at a local restaurant in the midnight hours of October 10, who asked him for a lift and told him that they were desperately in need of a place to sleep. The man explained to the police that he drove with them to his place, and they arrived around 05:00. Unfortunately, things took a sudden turn when he woke up an hour later to find his car, a Mahindra bakkie, was gone. They also took his laptop, PlayStation, and cellphone.

“Motorists should make sure their vehicles are parked in safe spaces and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Being alert and parking in well-monitored areas can make a big difference,” Ratau said.

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