The crime intelligence department of the Elsies River police has been working on a car theft syndicate case since last year.

According to Captain Pierre Jordaan the car theft syndicate operated in Ruyterwacht and Elsies River. “Captain Clive Jacobs and Inspector William Kortjé started to concentrate on the theft of vehicles in the area last year, and their efforts have paid off with the arrest of seven people,” Jordaan said.

Last Monday (14 July) Mr Juan Neels, Mr Christopher Neels, Mr Riedewaan Baker and Mr Gert Visser were arrested in Balvenie Avenue in Balvenie Estate, Elsies River, for the possession of stolen goods. “The three men were in possession of a silver BMW, two bags of Telkom copper cables and a cellular phone,” Jordaan said.

The following day (15 July) Mr Faizel Ismael and Mr Sherman Theunissen were also arrested for the possession of stolen goods at the Elsies River bus terminals. “Ismael and Theunissen were in the possession of a stolen, brown Mitsibishi Colt bakkie,” said Jordaan.

The 26-year-old Mr Damian Jacobs was later arrested in connection with the car theft syndicate. “Last year five stolen vehicles were recovered by crime intelligence. The arrests and recovery of the vehicles were a success because of the participation of members of the community, in the form of informants,” Jordaan commented.

As part of an ongoing operation suspicious people will be photographed on the corner of Owen Road and 35th Avenue in Elsies River and profiles will be opened. “The corner of Owen Road and 35th Avenue is seen as a so-called ‘hot spot’ in the Elsies River area,” Jordaan added.

The crime statistics for the Elsies River precinct show an increase in the theft of motor vehicles over the past three years. “From April 2005 to March 2006, 91 vehicles were stolen, 116 vehicles from April 2006 to March 2007 and 128 vehicles from March 2007 to April 2008,” said Jordaan. The police in the area will be focussing more on the theft of vehicles and theft from motor vehicles in future.

. Always lock your vehicle and keep the windows closed.

. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.

. Avoid to stop at remote places.

. Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.

. If something seems suspicious, rather drive away.

. If possible vary the route you travel to work and back.

. If strangers loiter near your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to the nearest police station.

. Car hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.

. If you car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual involved, drive to the nearest police station for help.

. Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced out of the car.

. Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon.

. Give up your car with no questions asked and move away.

. Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.

. A gear lock is an affordable and effective anti-theft device.