Tracker celebrates most successful 48-hour period in its history

Stolen Vehicle Recovery leader, Tracker, is celebrating what it rates as the most successful 48-hour period in its ten year history after it recovered, together with the support of the SAPS, 48 stolen and hijacked vehicles, smashed two chop shops and arrested some 23 suspected vehicle criminals between 16h00 on Tuesday (May 8, 2007) and 16h00 today, Thursday, May 10,
2007.

Following a frenetic three hours on Tuesday night which included the recovery of seven hijacked and stolen vehicles, ten arrests and a chop shop bust which yielded a further five stolen vehicles, Tracker made a further 36 recoveries resulting in 13 arrests and shut down another major chop shop
before nightfall today (Thursday, May 9, 2007).

In one case yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, May 9), eight suspects, including four women, were taken into custody after a vehicle was tracked to southern Johannesburg after being reported missing in Midrand. Initially, seven arrests were made before the suspects led police to an eighth suspect.

They have subsequently been charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and police are currently investigating their possible involvement in other crimes in the area.

The first chop shop was discovered in Pretoria on Tuesday late afternoon after a client contacted Tracker following a misunderstanding with an employee of his regarding the activation of his vehicle's Tracker.

"The client's Tracker was only activated then despite the vehicle being stolen a month ago. Apparently the owner of the vehicle thought the driver had contacted us to activate the Tracker, when in fact this wasn't the case. Fortunately, the related track led us to this suspected chop-shop where two arrests were made and a further five vehicles recovered. It appears that the engine and chassis numbers had been tampered with and the vehicles were being prepared to be sold to potential buyers," says Gareth Crocker, Communications Manager for Tracker.

The second chop shop was discovered this morning after two large 'tipper' trucks were stolen in a business robbery in Thabazimbi by three armed men.

The first truck was tracked and recovered in Kwamhlanga soon afterwards.

However, when Tracker personnel and the SAPS tracked the second truck they uncovered a further 11 stolen vehicles with their engine numbers filed off in an open area in Tweefontein between a house and a scrap yard. Various stencils and tags were also recovered from the scene. No arrests have yet been made, but police are currently investigating.

"We are extremely encouraged by the effect we are having on vehicle crime in South Africa at the moment and believe it will only improve as our database continues to grow. This is particularly encouraging considering that vehicle crime is often at the centre of other forms of violent crime such as armed robberies, cash heists and murders. Since the start of the year, Tracker has already recovered more than 1500 vehicles and, together with the invaluable support of the SAPS, made some 250 arrests. We want the public to know that regardless of whether or not you're a Tracker client, we are doing everything in our power to combat crime in this country," says Crocker.