The growing collaboration between private security and law enforcement led to significant discoveries in the fight against vehicle crime.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services
A stolen Toyota Fortuner led to the discovery of a suspected vehicle chop shop in Newlands, Durban, at the weekend.
KwaZulu-Natal's police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said: “Newlands East Police have launched an inquiry looking into a local establishment on Inanda Road in Newlands East, suspected of operating as an alleged vehicle chop shop. This follows the recovery of multiple vehicles and vehicle parts on the property on March 15.”
KZN VIP Protection Services' spokesperson Gareth Naidoo said the suspected chop shop was uncovered following intelligence gathered on the stolen vehicle. Information led members of various tracking companies, private security companies and KZN VIP's reaction units to a property off Joyce Road in the Inanda Road area in Newlands.
He said that, acting on credible information, the multidisciplinary team searched for the stolen motor vehicle believed to be in the area.
Multiple stolen vehicles and parts were discovered at a property in Newlands, highlighting the ongoing battle against organised vehicle crime.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services
“Upon arrival at the premises, the stolen vehicle was located parked inside the property. Once access to the premises was gained, multiple additional vehicles were discovered inside the yard, raising immediate suspicion,” Naidoo said.
“Further inspection revealed that several vehicles had their number plates removed, and checks conducted confirmed that the vehicles were reported stolen from various areas in the north of Durban, including Verulam and Ballito. Among the recovered vehicles were Toyota Fortuners and other high-value vehicles believed to have been targeted by organised criminal syndicates.
“In addition to the vehicles, numerous vehicle parts (including Toyota spares) believed to have been stripped from stolen vehicles were also discovered scattered across the property, strongly indicating that the premises was being used as a vehicle stripping operation, commonly referred to as a chop shop.”
A suspected chop shop was uncovered in Newlands, Durban, following the recovery of a stolen Toyota Fortuner.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services
Naidoo said that when security teams arrived, a security guard, believed to have been posted at the property, fled the scene. No suspects were found on the property at the time.
He said police were immediately alerted and dispatched to the property to conduct investigations.
Naidoo added: “This discovery highlights the growing cooperation between private security companies, tracking agencies, and law enforcement, which continues to play a vital role in combating organised vehicle crime."
Evidence of vehicle theft: Numerous vehicles and parts were found scattered across the property in Newlands.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services
The scene of a suspected chop shop in Durban, where stolen vehicles were found stripped of their parts.
Image: KZN VIP Protection Services