THREE motor vehicles were stolen in Richards Bay on Monday.
According to Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson Captain Debbie Ferreira, a Toyota Fortuner was taken from Richards Bay CBD, a GWM bakkie from Essenwood and a Land Cruiser in Meerensee.
Police have recovered the Fortuner and made an arrest.
It could not be confirmed if cases were linked.
Theft of motor vehicles has become a major concern for Richards Bay police with an average of a car stolen a week, according to reported incidents from December to February.
However, the national crime statistics have shown results in crime reduction with 209 vehicles being stolen in 2010 compared with 123 last year.
Ferreira said while incidents have decreased police were continuing efforts to curb crime and reduce cases.
She said vehicles have been stolen from different business parking areas around the Richards Bay Central Business District and bakkies and SUV’s were primarily being targeted.
When vehicles are recovered, some show no evidence of forced entry.
‘Car jamming has been a major problem and we urge motorists to always double-check that their vehicles are locked, even after they have heard the beep.
‘We want motorists to take extra precaution and enforce all security measures at all times and not leave belongings inside vehicles.
‘Theft out of motor vehicle is a crime which is also a challenge for police and can be reduced and eliminated if motorists refrain from leaving laptops, handbags or personal items in the vehicles,’ she said.
Richards Bay car guard Allen Mthethwa who watches over vehicles in Lira Link, said there have been random car thefts but this has drastically reduced over the last year.
‘There was a problem in the past but we are here all the time now and the criminals do not have an opportunity to target the vehicles.
‘I believe we have a role to play in reducing crime in the city and to help the police and businesses too because we are the eyes on the ground and act as a deterrent for criminal activity ,’ he said.
This is really a sad affair it def must be a sindicate who is in this pray they get court up to no good thieves
Its interesting that whenever a crime story is published in the South African media, a photograph always depicts a white perpetrator, once again this is another example.
This picture displaying a WHITE GUY at the car and a WHITE GUY jamming the signal is not good advertising.
Look around you and the jails / roads / trucks etc almost 100 % are black.And the person caught with the stolen FORTUNER was black.So why display white people as the victim and criminal.This country is pathetic place currently.
I wonder how many other people will comment on this picture.
This is a slap in the face to white people.
Get the facts right before displaying color of people.
Maybe a cartoon in future until the criminal is behind bars then publish color (race gender) pictures.