The ongoing issue of theft out of motor vehicles has now spiralled out of control, with Laudium being rocked by about fifteen theft-out-of-motor vehicle incidents reported to the local SAPS over this last week alone, leaving residents up in arms.
One such disgruntled Garnet Street resident and recent victim, Huzair Mia Mahomed (25), said that he had parked his car at his relative's home on Sepia Street and spent the night there, only to discover his car bonnet open and the battery missing, early the next morning.
“It was around 5am on Sunday morning (June 3) when I heard strange sounds outside and when I went to see what was happening, I saw with shock that my car’s bonnet was open,” Huzair exclaimed.
“The crafty criminal had completely destroyed the wiring and yanked my battery out, damaging other electronics in my car. It's always the case with the winter months during which these criminals run rampant breaking into vehicles. Maybe they think that everyone is fast asleep and won’t hear anything. After I discovered the theft, I quickly sent out a WhatsApp message to all the Laudium crime groups but I got no response even after leaving a description of my battery,” Huzair added, dejectedly.
Another victim, Ronnie Govender (28) said that thieves broke into his Golf Velocity on Saturday night (June 2) outside his Taj Street home at around 7pm.
“I saw my bonnet open when I got to my car to park it inside the yard and with disbelief, I realised that the battery was missing. I can't believe that these criminals would take a chance so early in the evening and especially on such a busy street,” Ronnie said. Fidelity ADT told the Laudium Sun that unfortunately, many residents are too complacent when it comes to movable property outside their security perimeter.
Chris Van Deventer, Community Development Manager for ADT, encouraged residents to park inside their yard if possible and, if not, to ensure that they do not leave any valuables in their vehicles if they are parked on the pavement.
“It's especially important not to leave any valuable items inside the car where they can be seen from the window. Rather lock these items in the boot,” he advised.
The self-elected Laudium CPF members were not available for comment as according to a source, they were busy jostling for office bearer positions.
Crime victim: Ronnie Govender (28).
Crime victim: Huzair Mia Mahomed (25).