Vehicle owner confronts vehicle thief in Verulam

The owner of a red VW Polo confronted a man attempting to steal his vehicle outside the Verulam Market on Wick Street – KZN.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a call for assistance at approximately 11:56. On arrival, it was established that the owner of the vehicle was returning to his car. He attempted deactivating the alarm system as he approached but realised that something was amiss when the indicators did not flash. The man then noticed an individual in his car and realised that his vehicle was in the process of being stolen.

The thief attempted to exit the vehicle but the owner held the door shut in an attempt to trap the suspect. The car guard fled when he noticed the commotion. The suspects accomplices were parked next to the VW Polo in a white Hyundai i20. A passenger in the vehicle produced a firearm which forced the victim to retreat. The thief disembarked from the VW Polo and fled with his accomplices in the white Hyundai I20 with an NT registration. The ignition on the VW Polo was damaged and several panels were removed.

While conducting a search for the suspects, Reaction Officers were flagged down by the driver of a white FAW mini bus on Ireland Street in the Verulam CBD – KZN. The driver informed Officers that a vehicle matching the description used by the car thieves collided into his taxi while they recklessly navigated through traffic.

The suspects are believed to be linked to several cases of motor vehicle theft that occurred outside the Verulam Market and the Verulam Driver Test Centre.