New carjacking trend hitting South Africa

Fidelity ADT has warned that car thieves in Gauteng have developed a concerning new tactic of targeting unsuspecting motorists who leave their vehicles at local car washes.

These thefts reveal an evolving pattern in vehicle crime where criminals exploit areas of vulnerability, particularly in the West Rand region, where five incidents were reported just last week.

By focusing on car washes—locations where drivers often leave their vehicles unattended and sometimes with keys inside—thieves are finding new, effective ways to steal cars.

The strategy is alarmingly straightforward.

According to Fidelity, thieves wait for customers to drop off their vehicles, often at busy car washes.

Many customers trust the attendants, handing over their keys while stepping away to shop, run errands, or relax.

This habit of leaving keys behind has become a critical point of vulnerability.

Criminals, pretending to be authorised by the owner, approach the attendants and assert that they’ve come to pick up the car on behalf of the owner.

They take the vehicle and simply drive away, escaping before the owner or the attendants realize what has happened. In other cases, criminals are even bolder, seizing cars left with keys in the ignition.

In some incidents, they have scoped out unattended vehicles at these car washes, preying on inattentive drivers or attendants who might be overwhelmed by multiple vehicles.

Once they spot an opportunity—an unlocked car, keys in the ignition, or unattended keys—they act swiftly, stealing the vehicle within moments.

Gauteng has already seen an increase in hijackings this year, which raises further alarm.

According to the latest statistics, South Africa averages a vehicle hijacking every 22 minutes, with Gauteng accounting for more than half of these incidents.

Johannesburg, the nation’s economic hub, remains one of the highest-risk areas, making it imperative for motorists to remain alert.

Data shows that specific car brands, particularly popular models and those with high resale values, are frequently targeted.

SUVs and certain Toyota models are especially attractive to thieves, likely because they are used in the black market for parts and resale.

Fidelity ADT, a leading security provider, has been vocal in raising awareness about these incidents and has issued urgent precautions for motorists.

First and foremost, drivers are advised against leaving their car keys with attendants when dropping off their vehicles.

To minimize risks, owners should either keep their keys or stay in sight of their cars, preferably within line of sight.

Remaining vigilant about one’s surroundings is another key step. Car washes, especially those in busy shopping areas, can draw various types of people, and any suspicious individuals should be reported immediately.

It’s also a wise idea to inform the attendant that only the vehicle owner will be collecting the car. This can prevent a thief from easily impersonating the owner’s “friend” or relative.

Additionally, car owners should pay attention to whether anyone is following them to the car wash, as thieves sometimes target individuals they believe will leave their cars unattended.

Fidelity ADT also suggests drivers be mindful of any unusual behaviour in the vicinity and report anything suspicious to local security or law enforcement.

The rapid evolution of these tactics by car thieves underscores the importance of community awareness and proactive security measures.

It is vital that drivers remain vigilant, especially when leaving their vehicles, even in seemingly secure locations like car washes.

The simple act of keeping one’s keys in hand and being cautious can be the difference between a secure car and becoming another crime statistic.

With vehicle theft on the rise and hijacking rates already concerningly high, motorists must remain proactive and cautious, helping prevent such incidents from further escalating across Gauteng.

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