Woodstock mirror mystery
|Published
Woodstock residents left confused by new trend of skelms steeling mirrors. Picture: Monique Duval Woodstock residents left confused by new trend of skelms steeling mirrors. Picture: Monique Duval
Woodstock residents thought their eyes were playing tricks on them when they woke up to find a skelm had removed all the sideview mirrors from their cars in the middle of the night.
Residents living in Carey Street say they are shocked and confused by the thefts on Tuesday where the skelm was caught on camera removing the mirrors.
Tour guide Victor Shatamba, 42, says he has been unable to work for two days after both of the mirrors of his Renault Duster were stolen.
“We woke up on Tuesday and it was a big shock to see the mirrors gone,” he says.
“One of the neighbours sent a picture showing the guy using some kind of tool and he takes it clean out. There aren’t any scratches or anything. I can’t work because I can’t drive until I get it replaced. The camera shows the guy doing it at about 4am.”
Skelm was caught on camera stealing car mirrors in Carey Street, Woodstock at about 4am. Image supplied
The confused man says he now has to cough up more than R2000 for the mirrors to be replaced.
“I called Renault and they told me it will be R2228 to be replaced,” he says.
“I am so confused by why someone would steal mirrors but they must be selling it somewhere. I have lived here for 11 years and my car has always been safe.”
A 43-year-old mom, who asked not to be named, says the mirrors of her Renault Megane were stolen on the same night.
“We came out and the mirror was just gone. We have lived here for more than 10 years and our cars were always safe, but now we park it at a private parking bay.
“Ooh jinne, I don’t even want to know how much it is going to cost,” she says.
Tour guide Victor Shatamba, 42, says he has been unable to work for two days after both of the mirrors of his Renault Duster were stolen.
Woodstock police confirm that three cases were registered on Wednesday but say this appears to be a new trend.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Hilton Malila, says
victims can register theft from motor vehicle cases.
“This is definitely new in the precinct. About two months ago, the neighbourhood watches in that area reported the theft of wiper blades and after we made an arrest, those thefts subsided,” Malila says.
“The mirrors are a new thing and I cannot speculate what they use it for or how much they get but detectives will be looking into this.”
He says off-street parking in Woodstock is a big problem as opportunistic skelms are always on the look-out for soft targets.
“It is a big problem because most of the properties do not have garages but we advise residents to park in well-lit areas.”