Take note of a resurgence of smash-and-grabs in Boksburg
Drivers travelling in the vicinity of Plantation, Comet, Angelo informal settlement and Dunswart, in particular, are most likely to fall victim to predators that have for the past few weeks constantly pounced on unsuspecting motorists.
Police in Boksburg have noted a resurgence of smash-and-grabs at several intersections, and they are urging motorists to be extra vigilant, especially between sundown and midnight.
According to Boksburg SAPS spokesperson, Const Ntsako Ledwaba detectives are investigating a number of smash-and-grab cases, where thieves smashed the window of stationary vehicles at the different traffic lights, grabbed valuable items out of the vehicle and vanished into thin air with the loot.
Ledwaba said it appears thieves are mostly attracted to valuable items kept in plain sight, such as cellphones, handbags and laptops.
She, therefore, urged drivers not to place any valuable items on car seats or inside vehicles where they can be easily seen by would-be thieves.
The police remind drivers that it is against the law to use cellphones while you’re in control of a motor vehicle, adding that in some instances of smash-and-grabs motorists are distracted by their cellphones.
To try and tackle the problem, Ledwaba said: “On a regular basis we deploy our community patrollers, along with police officers, at the hot spots.”
The police visibility, however, seem to be a very short-term solution to the problem as the perpetrators tend to temporarily stay away from the spot, but strike again once the police and patrollers have left.
- Take note of these smash-and-grab hot spots
The Boksburg SAPS has compiled a list of the areas that have become problematic, with several smash-and-grabs taking place there.
• At the traffic light on Rondebult and Pretoria roads in Comet
• The intersection of Main Reef and Field roads in Angelo informal settlement
• The intersection of Commissioner Street and Atlas Road
