Over the past few weeks, the Marshall Security Special Operations Team, together with Durban North SAPS, noticed a significant spike in theft-out-of-motor-vehicle incidents at shopping centres in and around the Gateway, La Lucia, and Durban North areas. Our teams conducted multiple joint operations with Durban North SAPS in an effort to intercept the suspects responsible. Earlier this week, members received information regarding suspects involved in a theft out of a motor vehicle at a well-known shopping centre in La Lucia, during which a laptop and clothing were stolen. The suspects fled the scene in a black Hyundai i20. A case was opened at Durban North SAPS, and the vehicle description was circulated to all Marshall Security units.
On Wednesday, at approximately 17h30, while patrolling along Adelaide Tambo Drive towards Broadway, members observed a black Hyundai i20 matching the description of the vehicle used in the La Lucia incident. Members immediately turned around and followed the vehicle. Upon noticing our team, the suspects fled at high speed, drove recklessly through traffic, and skipped a red traffic light in an attempt to evade arrest. Members continued to pursue and successfully brought the vehicle to a stop on Adelaide Tambo Drive, where three suspects were apprehended.
All occupants were removed from the vehicle, and Durban North SAPS arrived shortly thereafter. A full search was conducted, during which suspects were found in possession of car-breaking implements, a remote jammer, a laptop bag containing a laptop, and various other items they could not account for. The number plates fitted to the vehicle were confirmed to be false, with the original plates found hidden beneath the driver’s seat. SAPS members transported the suspects, the vehicle, and all recovered exhibits to Durban North SAPS for further investigation.
It was later confirmed that the recovered laptop bag, laptop, and several other items belonged to a victim whose vehicle had been broken into at a well-known centre in Windermere earlier that same afternoon. Additional exhibits found in the vehicle were also linked to the La Lucia incident from earlier in the week. The suspects are believed to be connected to multiple similar incidents across the Durban North, Umhlanga, and Gateway areas.
This successful operation highlights Marshall Security’s ongoing commitment to intelligence-driven policing, rapid response, and strong partnership with SAPS to combat vehicle-related crime and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
