Officials urge victims to report smash-and-grab incidents after viral confession
A self-confessed smash-and-grabber reveals his accomplices during a viral confession.
Image: Facebook
A self-confessed smash-and-grabber got the shock of his life when he was apprehended for targeting motorists along Valhalla Drive in Kalksteenfontein and Jakes Gerwel Drive in Langa.
A video posted online by Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie shows the robber in a grey hoodie at the back of a bakkie, looking afraid and admitting in his own words: “Ek is ’n smash-and-grabber.” ("I am a smash-and-grabber.")
Moreover, the cowardly crook revealed the hideout of a group of teenagers who assisted him in robbing motorists.
He added: “Daai laaities daar, my larney. Hulle sit almal daar by een huis.” (Those teenagers over there. They all gather at one house.)
The suspect was apprehended. But he was later set free because the victim did not open a case, with McKenzie calling on residents to report the crime or the criminals would be back on the street in no time.
McKenzie posted on Facebook, saying: “He was not arrested; he was just apprehended because there were no charges against him and the victim refused to open charges.
“He was taken in for profiling, and then he was let go again.
“Over the last few weeks, we have significantly intensified our patrols and operations targeting smash-and-grab syndicates along Langa’s Jakes Gerwel Drive, as well as Valhalla Drive in Kalksteenfontein.
“One of the alleged kingpins involved in these criminal activities was apprehended. The individual admitted to participating in smash and grab incidents and even provided information relating to others involved in these operations.
“But there is a major challenge. In many cases, there are no criminal cases opened, and no official reports made at local police stations by victims of smash-and-grab incidents.
“This created a loophole that allows these criminals to walk free and continue terrorising innocent motorists over and over again.
“I therefore want to strongly encourage every victim of smash and grab incidents to please report it immediately to your nearest police station. Open a case, make a statement. Ensure it is on record.
“When our Law Enforcement agencies and neighbourhood safety structures apprehend suspects, there must be active cases linked to these crimes so that arrests can lead to successful prosecutions and the removal of these criminals from our streets.”
Graham Lindhorst, Chairperson of the Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum, said there are prevention measures in place, but the problem still persists.
Lindhorst explained: “I can confirm that smash-and-grab is a big issue on Jakes Gerwel and Valhalla Drive. There are interventions with successes, but the issue remains stubborn.
“It seems the more they are arrested, the more others come to the fore.”