- While on crime prevention patrol in Wynberg, Metro Police officers arrested two suspects who were caught exchanging vehicle number plates.
- The suspects attempted to flee but were captured after a police pursuit, with one found discarding a bag containing burglary tools.
- The suspects are in custody, and their vehicle was impounded.
While on crime prevention patrols in Wynberg metro police officers made a significant intervention on Mitcham Road, apprehending two suspects involved in suspicious-looking activities related to vehicle number plates.
The incident unfolded when officers discovered a Hyundai i10 with occupants attempting to exchange the vehicle’s number plates.On spotting the police the suspects hastily jumped back into their vehicle and attempted to flee the scene.
However, the officers quickly went in pursuit. Realising they couldn’t escape, the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled in different directions. Two of them were arrested shortly after, one of them was seen trying to dispose of a bag over a high wall.
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Inside the bag officers uncovered a stash of car-breaking tools, including a key coding device, an immobiliser bypass device, and two pairs of black gloves. The suspects’ vehicle was impounded, and they were taken into custody at Wynberg Police Station on charges of possession of burglary tools. “We are committed to enhancing the safety of our community,” said Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.
According to Smith, the latest crime statistics show over 8 600 vehicles were reported stolen in the last cycle, with around 1 200 of these incidents occurring in the Western Cape.
Notably, Wynberg police ranks 20th in South Africa for “theft out of motor vehicle” cases. Alarmingly, no police station in the City of Cape Town features in the top 30 precincts for theft of motor vehicles.
Smith added: “With the added advantage of receiving up-to-date crime information from the police, we can deploy additional resources promptly to target emerging crime patterns. Together with community support, we believe we can continue to make a significant impact in reducing vehicle theft in our area.”
As the police’s investigating officers work to connect the arrested suspects to other motor vehicle theft cases in the city, community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
