Police crackdown on criminals grabbing valuables from vehicles stuck in traffic

The crime trend is resurfacing where criminals would grab valuables from vehicles stuck in traffic.

Police Chief of Operations ACP Rusiate Tudravu says this has been picked up by the Southern Division operations team in areas where roadworks are underway.

A 17-year-old was arrested after he grabbed a woman's mobile phone before jumping off the bus at Grantham Road in Suva on Tuesday night.

A chase by a bystander resulted in the 17-year-old teenager’s arrest before he was handed over to Police.

ACP Tudravu also says that attempts made by youths to grab items from unsuspecting car owners have been foiled by the operations team along the junction of Gaji road particularly at night.

Officers have also gone to the extent of asking the youth loitering in the area to return to their homes.

Vehicle owners and passengers are advised to keep valuables safely and be mindful of this crime trend as people will try to take advantage of commuters stuck in traffic as was the trend previously.