MOSSEL BAY NEWS - An unemployed mother of two, whose car was stolen two weeks ago, left no stone unturned in retrieving her vehicle, proving that social networks can be as much of a blessing as bug.
Adrienne Peral, former teacher, enjoys dancing as part of her social activities and went out to Bakgat in Voorbaai on 20 March. Upon parking her golden VW Golf Chicco at around 21:45, she spotted an unfamiliar well built man with dark hair and a fair complexion, walking past her car, having a conversation on his cellphone.
Taken for a ride
"If I can help someone, I am always keen to do so, but I am streetwise enough to not do anything stupid. So I agreed and went outside with him to try and unlock a white VW Golf Chicco, which he indicated as his, myself. I had no success."
The man persisted and asked Adrienne if he could also try.
"I stood right next to him, with a clear view of his hands and could see him wiggle the key in the lock, first at the driver's and then at the passenger side. Still, no success and I went back inside."
"It never, ever crossed my mind that someone would steal my car."
Upon spotting the white VW Golf Chicco still parked, seemingly the suspected car thief's, still in the parking lot, she was confused. She also noticed that the number plates were removed.
"It turned out that the car in the parking lot belonged to someone that was still in the venue. We quickly figured that the suspect must have replaced my number plates in an effort to try and conceal the car theft."
With her house keys and other valuables still in the car, she had to ask a friend to take her in for the night until she could access her home on the Saturday.
Social media to the rescue
When Adrienne was laid off recently, she had to cancel the insurance on her car.
"I realized that if I don't get my car back, I won't have a vehicle anytime soon.
Being an activist with a good understanding of social media, she placed photographs of her car, along with her contact details and a description of what happened on her Facebook page, requesting help from whoever could furnish her with information.
Soon she received a message on Facebook, stating that an anonymous source reportedly saw her car in Wolwedans, near Great Brak River.
"Upon my request, my brother-in-law inspected the area and although he reported that it looked rather suspicious, no tangible clues were found."
On the Sunday, she received a text message on her cellphone from a woman in George, stating that she has seen Adrienne's stolen car parked outside her apartment building in George.
"She said she recognised the GP number plates, presumably fitted onto my car after the theft. The source reported that the suspect was seen working on my car as it would not start. The whole time she was watching him, trying to take me a photograph for identification of my car."
According to Adrienne, it was nerve-wrecking waiting for a photo to come through to her cellphone, but as soon as she was sure it was her car, she alerted the police, who then went to investigate.
Be vigilant
"Every time that a crime is committed, and the criminal is not caught, it gives him or her the go- ahead to continue to commit crime, hence, the state of excessive crime in our world. We shape our world through our courage (self-responsibility), or our apathy (lack of self-responsibility). If we want a better world, we must take responsibility for making it a better world."
Adrienne, along with a few friends, acquaintances and friends, took a stand against crime.
"I thank everyone that helped me find my car. Generally, people choose not to get involved and rather go about their own business."
They didn't, and that seems to have made all the difference.
Adrienne Peral used social media to help track down her car after it was stolen on 20 March. Thanks to cooperation from within the social media and local community, her car was found on 22 March.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST.
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