The vehicle was parked in the roadside parking next to the police station. It is normally used by clients and staff.
They said a Reiger Park gang of thieves, aged 23, 25, 35 and 44, targeted the officer’s Nissan NP 200 on Tuesday afternoon, January 17.
According to Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Phathela Mashudu, the four suspects driving in a white Kombi were spotted stealing the tyre before putting it into a wheelie bin and starting to leave the scene with their loot.
They used their vehicle to obstruct passers-by and the police officers’ view of the targeted vehicle.
Unbeknownst to the thugs, someone noticed that something was amiss.
Police officers stopped them and upon further investigation, discovered that one of the tyres had been stolen from one of their colleagues’ vehicles.
The suspects were all placed under arrest and charged with theft.
The tyre was later returned to the rightful owner, who appeared deeply shocked by the incident.
The suspects’ Kombi was confiscated.
Some staff members said they thought the police station and its parking areas are the most secure areas in Reiger Park.
However, the police station has become a hot spot for theft, and has been broken into several times in the past.
It is suspected that the spate of thefts and burglaries in the area were committed by the same arrested gang.
Mashudu revealed that there have been a number of thefts in the clients’ and staff parking as well as at the police station building.
* Meanwhile, someone’s Citi Golf was previously stolen from the same spot.
In 2007, thieves stole a bus from the same parking area.
Furthermore, the same parking place saw thieves recently breaking into a police officer’s car and stealing the sound system, worth about R7 000.
As if that were not enough, thieves recently broke into the police station and stole computers and alcohol in two separate incidents.
As a result of the previous criminal activities which occurred at the police station a couple of years ago, Mashudu told this publication that the police management has promised to intensify security measures to ensure the safety of the staff, visitors and state property.
However, nothing has been done to reduce the risk of falling victim to thieves, and it is unclear as to what is the major stumbling block to implement the proposed plan. -@FanieFLK
