REMOTE jammers are back and in business, stealing cell phones, laptops and other valuable items from vehicles in Union Street, Central Park and Five Ways Mall parking lots.
And Empangeni SAPS have again issued a stern warning to all residents: do not leave any valuables in your vehicles if you go into a shop or for that matter, at any time.
‘Having your valuables stolen out of your car is a preventable crime,’ said Empangeni Sector Policing commander, Captain Dup Herselman.
His warning was prompted by two incidents of theft out of motor vehicles, one in Byrne Street and the other in the parking lot of Five Ways Mall, which is suspected to have been the work of remote jammers.
‘I have personally tested the ‘gate remote’ theory, and it works.’
Remote jamming involves a crook activating an electronic ‘jamming’ signal as you exit your vehicle, making it impossible for you to lock it with your remote.
In some cases, normal house gate remotes activated at close proximity can also interfere with the signal your car remote emits.
To avoid being a victim of opportunistic crooks, always adhere to the following two safety steps:
• Always physically check if your doors are locked after you lock your car with a remote.
• Never leave any valuables in your car that would be visible to passersby.
‘Rather lock your things in the boot,’ said Captain Herselman.
Police will also be circulating flyers to raise awareness around the problem of remote jamming, and have urged everyone to be vigilant when exiting their vehicles.
‘Empangeni has been notorious in the past for theft out of motor vehicles, so it’s important for the SAPS to crack down on this crime.
‘But, the harder we make it for criminals to steal, the better for all of us.’
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