Motorists are being urged to exercise heightened vigilance in the management and safekeeping of their vehicles.

This urging comes from Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Gary McKenzie, who is assigned to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) strategic operations portfolio and its Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB).

“One of the things that we note is that a lot of persons lend their vehicles [without knowing to] whom. They don’t ensure that the borrowers are responsible. They don’t even know whether these persons are in possession of a driver’s licence,” he said.

ACP McKenzie noted that, in some cases, borrowed vehicles have been misused for illegal activities.

He said that, at times, individuals borrow vehicles and misuse them — operating these as illegal taxis or renting them out for a day.

The senior officer emphasised that owners must exercise greater vigilance over how their vehicles are being used.

ACP McKenzie also cautioned motorists about the risks of leaving vehicles at car wash facilities or garages without providing clear instructions.

“There are persons who will leave their vehicles to be washed or to be serviced, and they don’t leave clear instructions that their vehicles must not be moved,” he said.

ACP McKenzie pointed out that unscrupulous individuals sometimes exploit these situations, copying vehicle keys or tampering with alarm systems, which can result in theft.

The senior officer further indicated that certain vehicle thefts have been connected to fraudulent sales schemes.

“A lot of that happened because people advertise vehicles for sale without owning one, or even before they have the vehicle in their possession. So they advertise a vehicle for sale, and they look for one to steal and sell,” he said.

Meanwhile, deputy director of the JCF’s Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Division (C-TOC) Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Victor Barrett stated that the police have intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible for motor vehicle theft and related fraudulent activities.

He indicated that several car marts suspected of collaborating with motor vehicle thieves have been identified.

Acting SSP Barrett offered that law-enforcement personnel are already targeting individuals believed to be involved in these criminal networks, noting: “We have some of the criminals on our radar, and we are investigating them.”