A view of the stripped vehicle bodies discovered at a property linked to vehicle theft syndicates.
Image: SAPS
A coordinated effort by law enforcement and private security has dealt a double blow to vehicle theft syndicates, with two major ‘chop shop’ operations busted in separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The simultaneous crackdowns in Verulam, Durban, and the Tshwane District resulted in the recovery of scores of stripped vehicles and vehicle parts.
Two suspects were arrested in Verulam after a stolen Toyota Fortuner was recovered on Sunday afternoon.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrest of two suspects, aged 27 and 49, for the possession of suspected stolen property.
They were allegedly found in possession of a stolen vehicle on March 22 in Parkgate.
“Reports indicate that information was received regarding a stolen vehicle, which was tracked to a house in Parkgate. This information led to the discovery of the vehicle at the premises, where it was found stripped,” Netshiunda said.
Law enforcement and private security teams collaborate to recover stolen vehicles in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image: Empire Protection Services
Empire Protection Services spokesperson Christopher Chanderpal said Netstar alerted the service about a white Toyota Fortuner, stolen from Durban Central.
This led to the dispatching of Empire Protection Services members, alongside Netstar tracking agents, other private security services, and the SAPS, for the vehicle, which was giving signals in Ottawa, northern Durban.
Chanderpal said that upon arrival in the area, the vehicle was not visible to ground crews, requiring assistance from the Netstar helicopter.
A bird’s-eye view from the helicopter led to the vehicle being located at the back of a property, a house in a residential area.
“Upon forced entry to the property with members of law enforcement, and upon closer inspection, the vehicle was confirmed to be found and in the process of being stripped,” Chanderpal said.
“Members thereafter managed to enter the house and found two suspects (one female and one male) hiding inside the cupboards. As members were busy with the two suspects, a third suspect walked in and was apprehended (one male).”
Recovered vehicle parts from a suspected chop shop operation.
Image: Empire Protection Services
Chanderpal said among recovered vehicles and vehicle parts were one stripped Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Fortuner seats, Toyota Fortuner doors, numerous Toyota Fortuner engine parts and accessories, VW Polo bumper, Toyota Etios doors, Dunlop tyres and rims, and Toyota Fortuner side steps.
Additionally, a Toyota Etios steering rack, Toyota Etios chassis, Toyota Etios engine, and a Samsung cellphone were also found at the property.
Chanderpal said the SAPS processed the scene, resulting in the vehicle, vehicle parts (belonging to several other vehicles), and the suspects being taken to Verulam SAPS for further investigation.
He stated that the recovery was due to teamwork involving agents from Netstar, SAPS, and private security.
A helicopter assisted ground crews in locating a stripped Toyota Fortuner during a coordinated operation.
Image: Empire Protection Services
Meanwhile, the SAPS in Tshwane conducted targeted operations that led to the raid of three properties linked to suspected criminal activities.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said that on Thursday, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) members carried out an intelligence-driven operation following information received from a community member regarding a premises allegedly involved in the disposal of stolen vehicles.
Van Dyk said that through observation, the information was verified; thereafter, an operation was executed at the premises.
Police confiscated tampered motor vehicle engines, among other vehicle parts.
Image: SAPS
“Upon arrival, police discovered multiple motor vehicle engines with tampered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), as well as a trailer with an altered VIN. Several vehicle wiring harnesses were also recovered and linked to cases reported at various police stations in the Tshwane District,” Van Dyk said.
“Further investigations led members to an additional property associated with the suspect, where 18 stripped motor vehicle bodies were found. These were positively linked to stolen vehicles reported within the Tshwane District and as far as Witbank, Mpumalanga.”
Van Dyk stated that two vehicles were checked at a nearby premises. One was confirmed stolen, while a half-ton truck was found with a tampered VIN.
“In total, police confiscated four tampered motor vehicle engines, one double-axle vehicle transporter, four vehicle wiring harnesses, four stripped vehicle bodies, and one stolen motor vehicle.”
He added that investigations are continuing, with vehicle parts being examined. Efforts also persist to locate and apprehend all implicated suspects.
Evidence collected from a chop shop operation highlights the ongoing battle against vehicle crime.
Image: SAPS