Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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One often reads articles in the newspaper or in the media about things that have happened to other people, but it normally only hits home when it is either you or it is a friend. I remember the horrors of being hijacked in my car, frog-marched into my house and being robbed when I lived in Atholl. You can read what I wrote about it at the time on the Moneyweb site here. I moved straightaway to a secure estate and will never live anywhere else again.
A good friend of mine had his laptop stolen in the past week when he went to the Broadacres Shopping Centre in Fourways. He walked off from his car thinking he had locked it, but he had in fact being jammed by somebody and they went into his car and stole the laptop. The guy was caught, partially because apparently the owner of the nearby supermarket has a scanner that indicates whenever jammers are being used in the area, and so he was aware that somewhere somebody was trying to steal something and he was already out looking for it, but it is a good reminder that whenever you lock your car in busy spot, that you should always make sure that the car is in fact locked and you are not to just about fall victim to a scanner whose electronic jamming is actually going to stop your car from locking.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Tuesday 05-Nov-13
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Comments
Yolandi P said:
on Friday 08-Nov-13 02:38 PM
Learn to think like a criminal. When you think like them you can figure out they operate and counteract it. I always double check that my care is locked, drive around the block to make sure no one is waiting for the gate to open; just taking the right preventative measures will help you and your property stay safe.
Sally said:
on Thursday 07-Nov-13 08:04 AM
I always double check that my car is locked. I am just so sick and tired of criminals trying to take from us what we have worked for.
Cindy said:
on Wednesday 06-Nov-13 12:48 PM
Criminals are thinking of any way /ideas to get hold of things that are not theirs to take! Do not even want to think about what it would feel like if you go in to a shop and come out and either your car is gone or everything in it. And now that it is becoming the festive season this is going to happen on a regular basis.
Juliet said:
on Wednesday 06-Nov-13 08:22 AM
I see a lot of shopping centres have signs up now saying things like Check manually that your car is locked. Do not rely only on your remote. Jammers in the area. etc etc The stamina of evil is remarkable. Always another idea of how to lie, cheat and steal!
Lee-Ann said:
on Wednesday 06-Nov-13 08:08 AM
It is really sad that we have to live in constant fear. Just last week I stopped at the robot on Mandela bridge, and 2 men stuck their hands in my car demanding that I give them my phone, to the point where they actually pulled my keys out of my ignition. I am even more paranoid now. Crime is all criminals know and they are not going to change. We need to be more aware, and its so sad to live like that , but we need to constantly watch our backs.
Helen said:
on Wednesday 06-Nov-13 07:46 AM
Recently I spoke to my cousin, she has got married and moved to Italy. She was terrified from all stories I had been telling about South African crime and all sort's of new robbers ideas. She said that they even do not lock their cars and do not have to worry about the safety of their cars on the side ways.
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 01:58 PM
I can't believe how smart these criminals are getting. When I lock the car, I lock it about 5 times and check the doors as well. It's terrible that you can't even feel safe in your own home or car, with all these criminals running about...
Tersia said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 01:35 PM
I have heard of this before, it is absolutely terrible. They are getting so smart that there is not a device anymore that can keep them out of our car or house or anything. I always make double sure my car is locked, but it seems they will always find a way.
Safia said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 12:28 PM
It appears that often the security acts in cahoots with guys sitting in the car and jamming nearby cars. It happened to me before and when i called the security who was standing 2m away from my car and pointed out to the car with 4 guys inside who were the jammers he said not to worry and went away saying he will take it up with the manager . Jammers like people going with trolleys into supermarkets or going into a hairdresser/nail salon as it gives them enough time to rob the car and get away .
Sandra said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 11:30 AM
Same thing happened to me at Nicolway Shopping Centre. Tried to lock my car and it wouldn't lock. I already knew about the jamming devices and I just kept pushing the button till it locked. Check your door before just walking away! They could be sitting right next to you while you are trying to lock. Look around if you notice your car isn't locking and report suspicious looking characters. Be alert!
benita said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 08:16 AM
This was actually part of the pitch from the lady at Hyundai to convince me it's not a bad thing that my car does not have central locking as I lock it manualy and the signal can't be jammed. I have made it a habbit to always check whether the car is locked or not since I have heard of people's cars being stolen in this way.
Liesl said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 08:06 AM
This is the world we live in, albeit unacceptable and better steps towards combating crime should be put in place it is important that we remain alert at all times, not frantic but alert.
Sorea said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:50 AM
Oh my word this is one of the most depressing articles with equally depressing comments for so early in the morning.
Kaylee said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:48 AM
Another shocking reality, it upsets me to think that criminals lurk everywhere. After I was in a smash and grab, I have become paranoid. Even living in an estate doesn't prevent crime, while I sat on my balcony. the estate guards were being held up at gunpoint. Shocking reality.
Lorette said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:47 AM
I have to agree with Iola, why can't they spend more time on great ideas and not expanding their criminal minds.
Alexis said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:46 AM
Crime affects us all - it is so sad that we have to live like this. This place is so beautiful but the crime wants to make you leave to a better place. Do not live in fear, just be aware
Bianca said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:45 AM
This is something to be very careful of, a friend of mine had everything stolen out of her car also when she thought she had locked it in the basement of a busy shopping centre. People always laugh at me because I sometimes check that my car is locked 4 or 5 times before I leave it (O.C.D) - better safe than sorry though.
iola said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:43 AM
criminals are so clever actually if they spent half the time they spend in commiting a crime in to their work they will be quiet successful , but really is it always going to be like this in south africa where you have to constantly be looking over your shoulder to see if you may be the next victim of crime
Angelique said:
on Tuesday 05-Nov-13 07:42 AM
The technology that these criminals use these days are shocking. It is so annoying. We have to literally lock our cars wait a few minutes to check nothing is jammed, double check the door is in fact locked and then run into the mall. They get caught and go into a holding cell for a while and out doing the same thing again. If its not stealing from our cars with our backs turned, the pick pocking us or have a gun in our faces. I'm sorry but I strongly believe the death sentence should come back, those who steal and murder have no rights as far as I'm concerned!
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
