- NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
This Mitsubishi Pajero which was stolen from a woman by gunmen who later fled when it crashed during a high-speed chase earlier this year.
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
SINCE JANUARY 2004, close to 3,500 cars have been stolen with fewer than 500 recovered as car thieves continue to wreak havoc on the nation. Figures compiled by the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) revealed that up to June 20 of this year, 1,046 cars have been stolen. Of that number, only a mere 131 have been recovered.
During the first five months of 2004, close to 1,000 cars were reported stolen with a mere 113 being recovered and only eight arrests made. Of that number, 510 were reported to be Toyota model vehicles, followed by Nissans, 162; and Hondas, 155.
However, the latter part of 2004 (June to December) out-sprinted the first five months of the year recording a staggering 1,417 stolen cars with only, 199 being recovered.
NO SOLUTION
The figures tell the sad story that the police have been unable to find a solution for these sophisticated car thieves, who are operating swelling car-stealing rings - a fact the police did not deny.
Superintendent Devon Watkis, commanding officer at OCID told The Sunday Gleaner that cracking these car-stealing rings is not an easy feat. Supt. Watkis explained the speed with which the hoodlums are able to get the cars to their chop shops and take them apart has severely handicapped the police's efforts.
"We find more and more, that stolen cars are being dismantled and sold as parts," he said.
The police are currently investigating a car- stealing ring which involves members of the force as well as public servants in highly placed Government jobs.
While the investigations continue, police personnel have been arrested, charged and brought before the court in at least two parishes, in connection with car stealing.
Cars are stolen in every parish at various times of the day or night. A community recently vented its anger against three persons who were attempting to steal a car. One was killed in the incident.
HOPELESS SITUATION
Rocky Allen, operations manager at Hawkeye Electronic Security Limited, told The Sunday Gleaner that without the aid of technology used in the vehicle tracking and recovery services offered to clients, their chances of locating a stolen vehicle would have been hopeless. Mr. Allen added that in most instances, the cars are dismantled in less than 24 hours.
"Without the tracking system, it would be almost impossible, you would have to rely on reports from eyewitnesses or the person whose car was stolen," he said.
A senior management official at King Alarm, who is responsible for its vehicle tracking services, revealed that in addition to having corrupt connections, that supply the thieves with spanking new license plates and matching documents, the thieves have the ability to erase and replace original chassis numbers with new ones. "They seem to have connections, as we wonder how they are able to get brand new plates and I imagine documents to match. Plus, the ability to dismantle cars quickly is a skill they have," the senior manager said under conditions of anonymity.
