Two suspects caught at UCT following targeted theft of VW Polos

Swift action orchestrated by a joint crime intelligence effort led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 45 and 49, on Tuesday 5 March in response to Rondebosch police alerting the public about a Volkswagen Polo motor vehicle theft trend in the area.

This joint effort turned successful around 10:45 with the assistance of members attached to the police’s flying squad and the licence plate recognition (LPR) group, when they apprehended two suspects for possession of car-breaking implements.

This was announced by police spokesperson WO Lyndon Sisam.

“The police responded to a complaint about a suspicious vehicle described as a white VW Polo located on Two suspects caught at UCT following targeted theft of VW Polos (UCT), Cross Campus Road in Rondebosch. A flying squad vehicle responded in the light of VW Polos being stolen and covert operations focusing on the VW Polo problem in the area.”

At the scene, officials verified and discovered that the VW’s registration number was cloned. Sisam continued that the team approached the driver and searched the car.

“During the search, car-breaking implements were discovered, such as a VW computer box which they use once they break into a car. They then quickly switch out the installed computer box with their reprogrammed hardware.”

After this, he explained, the reprogrammed key can start the ignition, lock or unlock doors, and control the alarms.

An allen key sharpened on the end to force open vehicle doors, screwdrivers and other items were found inside the suspect VW Polo.

“Both suspects have a string of prior records for theft of motor vehicles and possession of stolen property being a vehicle.”

The Polo-duo appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7 March.

However, Sisam could not confirm their next court appearance, citing technical difficulties in the police system.