The Arrive Alive website received an email earlier today from a concerned citizen who suffered loss when leaving her vehicle unattended at a filling station in Middelburg. We could the contact details to chat to the person who emailed us and to ensure that this is indeed a valid complaint.
We would like to share the email with our vehicle owners:
“Subject:
Incident of theft out of a motor vehicle at the Middelburg Ultra City
Message:
“ I wish to report that I had an incident of theft from my motor vehicle on 2 January 2011 around 17:00 at the Ultra City Middelburg.
We stopped with our white KIA Sportage, Reg nr YFF…GP to use the facilities and on return at the vehicle the back door was open and our digital camera to the value of about R7000-00 was stolen. It happened in a matter of a few minutes.
We made enquiries around but no one saw anything. I always lock the car and am sure I did before I left to the ladies room. The police officials who attended to the incident informed us that the criminals use a device that prevents the vehicle from locking by use of the remote control. We are sure that is what happened.
This however means that the insurance company did not approve our claim as there was no visible damage of a breaking into the vehicle.
I am very disappointed with this incident and will think twice before stopping at such facility again, and if nature calls and I need to stop I will not leave my vehicle unattended ever again when visiting such facilities.
I did not note any Security Officials at the Ultra City, but am sure there must have been. I am sure that security is increased and suspicious persons are being monitored during peak times, but it seems not to be enough if one considers that a theft from a vehicle can occur during a very busy time.
I must mention that this was not a good way of ending our holiday and beginning the new year.
I trust that this information will assist in assuring general security at the Ultra City.
All of the best for 2011 and I appreciate your assistance.
Kind Regards”
This incident is similar to one shared on the Car Insurance Blog in 2010 under the title “Be Alert to car thieves who jam immobilizers!”
We would like to share some safety suggestions included in this post:
Advice to Vehicle owners to avoid theft from their vehicles
We would like to offer some advice to our vehicle owners:
• Be alert and cautious to where you park your vehicle.
• It is best to park where there are many people around and in the vicinity of security cameras.
• Be on the lookout for people who are wandering around for no apparent reason.
• If you are spending time in a restaurant and it is possible – find a seat within view of your vehicle.
• Do not rush away from your vehicle without checking whether your vehicle is indeed secure.
• Wait for the “beeb” from the immobilizer – or even better – see that your doors are locked.
• Close all the windows of your vehicle
Criminals will find new innovative ways all the time to commit their crimes. Be alert and vigilant to avoid vehicle and property loss!!