Catching A Car Thief In Johannesburg: A TikTok Story

Holifil

01 Apr, 2025

A TikTok video from Johannesburg showcases a daring thief attempting to break into a car.
When the man returned to the vehicle, the car's owner showed up, allowing the TikTok user to warn her about the situation.
Online reactions were mixed, with many praising the TikToker for her vigilance and others questioning the car owner's reaction.

A Johannesburg man attempted to break into a car. Images: @goodnessbalowyie / TikTok, Westend61 / Getty Images Source: UGC

Let’s face it: we live in a world where staying alert is more important than ever. Whether you're in the city or the suburbs, crime can strike at any moment. But sometimes, ordinary people rise to the occasion and make a difference. That’s exactly what happened when a TikTok user in Johannesburg spotted a thief trying to break into someone’s car. Thanks to her quick thinking, the car owner was warned just in time.

Caught on Camera: The Moment of Truth

It all started when @goodnessbalowyie, a TikTok user from Johannesburg, noticed something suspicious happening outside her window. From her vantage point, she recorded a man tampering with a car parked on a busy street. At first, the man walked away, but he soon returned—only to find the car owner there this time. Luckily, the thief decided to back off, giving @goodnessbalowyie the perfect opportunity to step in and alert the unsuspecting driver.

The TikTok user couldn’t help but express her concerns in the caption: "Jozi is not safe." Her video quickly gained traction, sparking conversations across social media platforms. As the story unfolded, viewers got to see how the car owner reacted to the shocking news—and boy, did people have opinions!

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What Happened Next? The Driver's Reaction

While some commenters praised @goodnessbalowyie for her vigilance, others were left scratching their heads over the car owner's reaction. One user, @ms_shabane, joked about how they would have panicked and run away, fearing the thief might steal the keys right from the owner's pocket. Meanwhile, another commenter, @ladyliebs, questioned why the driver didn't seem more alarmed by the situation.

Some users even speculated that the driver wasn’t grateful enough. When @meroldsa pointed out that the woman never said "thank you," @goodnessbalowyie clarified that the car owner had indeed expressed her gratitude multiple times—just off-camera. She added that the woman was understandably shaken up by the experience and took a moment to collect herself before driving off.

Others couldn’t resist making light of the situation. For instance, @ontondaonndinda quipped, "It's like you disturbed her plans. She wanted it gone!" But @goodnessbalowyie wasn’t having it. She explained, "How could you say that? She was in shock, and the guy walked away. It’s a busy street, so she felt safe enough to relax before leaving."

Praise for the Heroic TikToker

Despite the mixed reactions, many people were quick to commend @goodnessbalowyie for her bravery and selflessness. @vits___nkazimulombumbe wrote, "The fact that you made her aware of the situation without being selfish or shy says a lot about you." Similarly, @mpiloh.mamgabhazi praised the TikToker, saying, "Ma'am? Your bravery? Out of this world, shame. May you always be blessed."

When Crime Strikes in Jozi

Unfortunately, incidents like these aren’t uncommon in Johannesburg. In a separate report by Briefly News, motorists witnessed a harrowing car robbery at a traffic light. According to eyewitnesses, armed thieves approached a vehicle and fled the scene in their getaway car. Stories like these underscore the importance of staying vigilant and looking out for one another—just like @goodnessbalowyie did.

Final Thoughts

In a city where crime can happen at any moment, small acts of kindness and courage go a long way. Thanks to @goodnessbalowyie, one car owner avoided a potentially disastrous situation. Her story serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe. So next time you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate to speak up—you never know whose day you might change.