[ad_1]
By IOL Reporter 
1 hour ago
Durban – After months of investigations and weeks of surveillance, the Durban Metropolitan Police broke the rear end of a major car theft syndicate operating along Durban Beach.
For months, Durban’s golden mile has been plagued by a number of vehicle thefts, particularly from Ford Rangers, Toyota Hilux and VW Polo.
The Durban Metropolitan Police believe they have broken the union after members of their Trio Crime Unit arrested eight union members and recovered nine stolen vehicles.
Metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said officers found log book stamps, chassis stamps and a host of other tools that the union used to carry out its crimes.
The arrests were the result of successful collaboration between Boss-UIP security specialists Tsogo Sun Hotel Group, Love Durban UIP and South Beach UIP, said Boss-UIP’s Raz Ali.
Boss-UIP Security has a contract with the Urban Improvement Precinct companies on Durban Beach and has worked closely with the subway police to track down the union, Ali said.
The big drama started early Sunday morning when members of the trio’s criminal unit spotted a VW Polo and started following it.
The trio’s criminal unit followed the Pole through downtown to South Beach, where it parked next to a Ford Ranger on South Beach Avenue.
Union members got out of their vehicle and began to open the Ford Ranger.
Without them knowing they were being watched by the subway police who jumped on them before they could steal the vehicle.
Union members were found with car breakers, computer cases and a large number of tools used to enter vehicles.
Sewpersad said the men arrested on the beach took officers to a house in Klaarwater near Pinetown, where stolen cars were recovered and a large number of items were confiscated.
He said that among the eight men arrested was a Mozambican resident.
“We must congratulate the members of our criminal trio unit. The work they have done in following up this union is commendable, ”said Sewpersad.
Investigators searched two properties Sunday where they found a hand grenade.
The Saps Explosive unit and members of the Provincial Vehicle Theft Unit were called to the scene.
A police uniform was also found on property linked to the suspects.
“We are grateful to the subway police for helping to push the project forward,” Ali said.
“Arresting this union is a great success for all actors on Durban Beach and shows that collaboration between IPU, hotels, residential properties, us a security company and law enforcement is key to fighting and solve the crime, “he said.
[ad_2]
