Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a spate of vehicle remote jamming theft incidents in the uMhlanga, La Lucia, and Durban North areas.
Private security company Marshall Security said in a statement on its website that its Special Operations Team, together with Durban North SAPS had noticed a significant spike in theft-out-of-motor-vehicle incidents at shopping centres in and around the Gateway, La Lucia, and Durban North areas in recent weeks.
It said that earlier this week, members received information regarding suspects involved in a theft out of a motor vehicle at a shopping centre in La Lucia, during which a laptop and clothing were stolen.
“The suspects fled the scene in a black Hyundai i20. A case was opened at Durban North SAPS, and the vehicle description was circulated to all Marshall Security units.
“On Wednesday, at approximately 5.30pm, while patrolling along Adelaide Tambo Drive towards Broadway, members observed a black Hyundai i20 matching the description of the vehicle used in the La Lucia incident. Members immediately followed the vehicle. Upon noticing our team, the suspects fled at high speed, drove recklessly through traffic, and skipped a red traffic light in an attempt to evade arrest. Members successfully brought the vehicle to a stop on Adelaide Tambo Drive, where three suspects were apprehended.”
Marshall Security said the Durban North SAPS arrived at the scene and during a search the suspects were found in possession of car-breaking implements, a remote jammer, a laptop bag containing a laptop, and various other items they could not account for.
The number plates fitted to the vehicle were confirmed to be false, with the original plates found hidden beneath the driver’s seat.
The suspects were taken into custody, the security company said.
According to the crime stats released by the acting national minister Firoz Cachalia on Friday, there were a slight decrease in incidents of theft out of motor vehicles in the second quarter (2,607 cases) in KwaZulu-Natal compared to first quarter (2,634 cases).
THE MERCURY
