Men arrested after being caught breaking into car at tax office

Police investigators are analysing an access device that was reportedly confiscated from two men who were allegedly caught breaking into a car at the Constant Spring tax office in St Andrew, sources have disclosed.

Detectives believe the device is used to programme keys for a car-stealing ring.

The two men were arrested by the St Andrew North police as part of an initiative to clamp down on a surge in motor vehicle theft across the division.

“Several efforts are being made to analyse this device so as to proffer additional charges against them,” a source told The Gleaner on Wednesday.

A total of 141 cars valued at $196.1 million were reported stolen across the St Andrew North Police Division between January 1 and October 30 this year, according to the latest police data.

Nineteen of those vehicles, with a total value of $30 million, were recovered.

According to police data, 95 per cent of motor vehicle theft across the division occurred on Saturdays and Sundays between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Some 62 per cent of the vehicles stolen had anti-theft devices installed.

Popular Toyota brands such as Marx X, Probox, Voxy, Axio, Wish and Fielder are among those frequently targeted.

Investigators believe they are stolen, scrapped and the parts sold to legitimate and illegitimate auto parts dealers.

The proceeds from the sale are used to fund criminal gangs, investigators say.

- Livern Barrett 

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