There’s been a rise in motorbike theft in Woodstock, say police.
Three bikes have been taken since the start of July, the latest on Saturday August 10, according to Woodstock police spokesman Warrant Officer Hilton.
Malila Maurice Paliaga said his vintage 1977 Honda CB550 was stolen on the corner of Brabant and Fairview roads on Saturday August 10, at around 7pm.
“Two guys on a yellow scooter, were hovering around the area at around 6.30pm. It was around 6.50pm that they made their move and physically rolled the bike away into hiding,” he said.
Maya Golden’s Suzuki Djebel was stolen sometime between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Thursday July 11 while she was visiting a friend in Chamberlain Road.
“I don’t know how they stole it; the handlebars were locked so I assume that they just lifted it up and put it on a bakkie. I didn’t hear anything, but I came outside after having dinner at a friend’s house and it was gone.”
Lauren Scott’s KTM Duke 390 was stolen in March at around 4.30pm.
“My motorcycle was parked in the parking lot in front of the Woodstock Improvement District (WID) on the corner of Victoria and Mountain Road and WID cameras picked up a guy on a different motorbike towing my bike away with another guy on it,” she said.
WID manager Chris Lloyd said camera footage showed the bike being stolen by two unidentified men wearing helmets.
Warrant Officer Malila said: “We want to urge motorcycle owners to please park their motorbikes in well-lit areas and to use a chain with a padlock and tie it around a fixed pole or object.
“Criminals use open bakkies to transport motorcycles out of the area and sometimes they tow the motorbike with another bike they came with.”
No arrests have been made. Call Woodstock police at 021 442 3117 if you have information.