Phoenix syndicate ‘conspired’ with dealership employee to steal a car

SIX Phoenix men were arrested within hours of allegedly conspiring with a dealership employee to steal a new Hyundai i20 worth R330 000 from an Umhlanga dealership.

One suspect has a history of vehicle-related fraud cases across KwaZulu-Natal.

Jemaine Tyson Sathilal, 31, Muhammad Ayathola Ruhola Khomeini Marimuthu, 34, Liam Tereeq Chetty, 20, Benjamin Naidoo, 30, and Mattao Cerwyn Rampartab, 20, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The employee at the dealership, Derien Fabian Moodley, 29, was arrested on Monday and appeared alongside his co-accused.

Bail was opposed for Sathilal and Marimuthu, while the other four were released on R1 000 each.

Metro police spokesperson, Booysie Zungu, said the suspects had arrived at the vehicle dealership in Umhlanga, where they allegedly conspired with an employee to unlawfully drive away with a new Hyundai i20.

“The vehicle was later reported stolen, and the registration were circulated. The Crime Intelligence Unit gathered information regarding the suspects. Acting swiftly, the Durban Metro Police Service Drug Team and  various private security companies intercepted some of the suspects in another vehicle – a VW Polo - in the Morningside area,” Zungu said.

Sathilal, Marimuthu, Chetty and Rampartab were arrested at the scene.

“Further intelligence led officers to a residence in Phoenix, where the stolen vehicle was found concealed,” he added.

Naidoo was arrested at his home in Cardham Drivewhere the stolen vehicle was recovered. A source close to the investigation said the vehicle was reported stolen by the dealership at Durban North SAPS and the registration of the VW Poloused by the suspects was circulated.

“Late on Saturday night, our members received information on the suspects wanted for the theft of the motor vehicle. The suspects were in the VW Polo that had been circulated and that was used in the commission of the crime. We believe that these suspects are operating a car theft syndicate and were previously involved in similar crimes,” the source alleged.

Repeat offender

In September 2022, KZN police issued a warrant of arrest for Sathilal. At the time it was reported that Sathilal had advertised a bakkie that he was selling on social media. An interested person contacted him and transferred R179 000 into his account. It was alleged when the man tried to register the vehicle in his name, he was informed that the logbook was fake and that the vehicle he had purchased belonged to a woman who was  struggling to pay the instalments.

It was reported that the bank planned to repossess the vehicle. A case of fraud was opened at Bellair SAPS and the investigation revealed that Sathilal was wanted for similar cases in Durban, Verulam and Port Shepstone, police said at the time.

Police then released Sathilal’s photograph on their website and social media pages, and started a widespread search for him. He was wanted on multiple cases of fraud and theft. It was reported at the time that Sathilal had handed himself over to police.

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