With VW Polos being identified as the most-targeted by car thieves in Rondebosch in May, the police has sent out a warning to owners of the vehicle make to be vigilant and observant.
WO Lyndon Sisam of corporate communication at Rondebosch Police Station says four VW Polo’s were stolen in the Rondebosch precinct in May.
Giving a rundown of the separate incidents, Sisam says that on Friday 21 May at 19:00, the complainant parked his red VW Polo in St Andrews Road.
“When he returned to his vehicle the following day, the car was gone.”
Sisam says the same thing happened to the owner of a silver Polo Vivo who parked her vehicle on Baxter Road on Tuesday 24 May at 18:30. When she returned at 22:00 the same evening, the vehicle was gone.
In the third incident, which occurred on Friday 27 May at 07:50, the driver parked her Beige VW Polo in the parking area on Sandown Road to drop her child at school.
Sisam says the complainant went for a walk, but when she returned at 09:50, the VW was no longer there.
Later that same day, another VW Polo was reported stolen, but this time from Erin Road where the owner had parked her silver VW Polo at 17:50.
Sisam says two of the VW Polo’s have since been recovered.
“One was completely stripped and the other one damaged. One was recovered in Philippi and the other in Delft.”
He warns that vehicle owners should not assume that by pressing their car remote lock that their car is locked.
“Instead, always check that the vehicle is locked by testing the door.”
He advises vehicle owners to take precautions by installing a tracking device and parking their cars behind locked gates or in a garage at night.
“Avoid places known to be a crime hotspot and if in an unfamiliar area, make sure you check on the car now and then to make sure it’s still there.”
Sisam says parking lots with a parking attendant, supervision or someone patrolling is best.
“Otherwise, try to park in locations that are well-lit, well-populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.”
