Thieves target parents on school runs

27 Jan, 2023 - 00:01 0 Views

Suburban

THERE is a gang of criminals driving around in a white Toyota Fortuner and targeting parents dropping off children at schools in Harare’s northern suburbs.

Suburban Reporter 

According to a security alert being circulated on Harare residents’ online platforms, the occupants of the Toyota Fortuner trail parents as they drop off children at schools. When the parents park their cars to accompany their little ones into the school yard, the criminals pounce at the slightest opportunity to unlock the car and steal any valuables.

Beware of a white Toyota Fortuner (new shape), registration number ADU 6079. 

The occupants are trailing parents as they go to drop off kids in schools and at the slightest opportunity, when you accompany your child into the school gate, they are opening your car and snatch valuables. When you use central locking they appear to have a device that disturbs it and still have access to your unattended car.

 They tried it at the Hebert Chitepo gate at (Dominican) Convent (School) yesterday and sped off when an alert guard discovered them. Be alert,” reads the security warning.

The white Toyota Fortuner gang is also said to be targeting gyms in the northern suburbs with reports that they struck at one gym on Wednesday morning.

Another security alert also warned residents about a different car whose occupants are said to be smashing car windows and grabbing valuables. The occupants of the car which looks like a Honda make, silver in colour, were this week reported to have attempted a smash and grab at St John’s Preparatory School but an alert guard foiled them.  

“Please be aware of this vehicle. 

This was the same car that was outside the Prep yesterday late afternoon between 17:00 and 18:00 and a bald headed light skinned man was looking into the cars of the moms who had taken their kids for swimming lessons at the Prep pool. 

Please tell those you know who go for these lessons to park close to where the guards are, as they target cars far from the guards. The man pretended to be on his phone when he realised that we were watching him and jumped back into the car and drove off. 

The car has tinted windows so you can’t see who is inside, so please be alert and aware of your surroundings around the school, they are always watching people,” reads the security alert.

Last year some motorists lost valuables at the gym at St John’s College in Rolf Valley.

In a security alert circulated in residents’ WhatsApp groups in December last year, motorists were warned not to leave valuables in their parked cars while they work out in the gym.

The security alert, posted together with a video of the thieves carrying out their act, said one motorist lost her handbag with an undisclosed amount of cash in United States dollars and a mobile phone. 

In the video, the occupants of the Toyota Fortuner (silver in colour) are parked on the roadside while on their surveillance mission to check cars without people inside them before hitting their intended targets.

As soon as the parking area is clear of any people, one man disembarks from the Toyota Fortuner and goes over to a car in the parking lot to check if there are any valuables left by the owners. The man quickly dashes back to their Toyota Fortuner to grab an object which he uses to brazenly smash the window of the car. He then grabs a handbag and jumps back into their Toyota Fortuner before it drives off.

It is believed that thieves are now in the habit of hiring or stealing top of the range cars which they use to commit crimes because their targets would least suspect that these posh vehicles are being driven by criminals. 

Last week, another security alert advised motorists about a gang of five criminals driving a Toyota Avensis, which is going around shopping malls and centres in Harare stealing from parked cars.

The gang made up of three man and two women is reportedly using electrical gate motor remotes to jam vehicle alarm security systems before opening parked cars once the driver has left the parking lot and grabbing any valuables.

The criminals stole two bags with undisclosed valuables at Westgate Shopping Mall on January 14, 2023. A report was made at Mabelreign Police Station.

The security alert about the Westgate gang warned motorists to physically check if their doors are locked even after arming using a remote.

The criminals were reportedly jamming car alarm systems using an electric gate motor remote. Unsuspecting drivers park their cars and when they arm their alarm systems, they never notice anything amiss until they return to their cars to find their valuables stolen.

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