Shopping centre speaks out about theft at cinema
"I am usually quite paranoid about leaving my handbag on the floor, but never thought that being in the back row would be a problem, as there was a wall behind us as well."
By Buli Sonqishe
Eastgate Shopping Centre has urged patrons to be more vigilant and look after their belongings while shopping at restaurants and at the movies.
The statement comes after a couple claims to have been “robbed” while they were watching a movie at the cinema in Eastgate on December 1.
“My husband and I went to the movies on Friday evening to watch the 7.30pm show. We sat in the back row. After the movie we noticed a woman who was sitting in the same back row as we were looking for something. When I asked her what she was looking for she said she could not find her phone. I immediately checked my handbag as well to find my cellphone was also missing,” said Taryn Slabbert.
Slabbert said when they went in to watch the movie, she had placed her handbag on the floor at her feet.
“I am usually quite paranoid about leaving my handbag on the floor, but never thought that being in the back row would be a problem as there was a wall behind us as well. I looked in my bag and also went onto the floor to feel if I hadn’t maybe let my phone fall out of my bag and felt around underneath the chairs. I noticed a big gap behind the chairs and the wall, and went to look at both ends of the row of chairs. One side was closed up by a wall and the other side had a pole in the entry way to this little passage behind this row of seats which had been broken in two and was almost ripped out of the floor. The staff said the pole was to prevent people from crawling in behind the seats and that the pole had not been broken when they cleaned up prior to our movie time slot,” she said.
She also claimed the policemen who arrived after the incident refused to help them open a case.
“Two policemen arrived and told us we needed to call 10111 or go to the police station to open a case as they were busy with a suspect they had picked up and could not assist us,” said Slabbert.
The Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson, Captain André de Jager, confirmed that a case of theft was opened on December 5 but refuted the claims that police were not helpful.
“A case of theft of cellphone was opened with regards to the incident that happened at Ster-Kinekor in Eastgate but the information I received from the officers is that a case could not be opened that day because the couple didn’t have the IMEI number of the phone. The police explained to the couple that they needed it in order to open the case and they only came with the IMEI number on December 5,” said de Jager.
Alana Hoskin, Eastgate’s marketing manager, confirmed the incident and urged the public to be vigilant and ensure their belongings are safe at all times when they are out shopping.
“The public needs to understand the difference between a robbery and pick-pocketing. Robbery is a criminal act against a person involving the use of violence, intimidation and when a weapon is produced. Pick-pocketing is a criminal act against an individual with no physical contact, violence or intimidation. In most cases, the victim doesn’t realise that he or she has been targeted and only figures it out a while later, which is what happened in this case,” said Hoskin.
Hoskin said the shopping centre has 24-hour surveillance and guards around the Eastgate precinct to ensure the safety of all their shoppers.
“However, each tenant is responsible for his or her safety and security inside the leased premises. We are working with Ster-Kinekor to understand the working habits of perpetrators. As with all complaints received, we engage with the tenants to investigate the complaints and queries from customers in general and assist in the safety and security of all shoppers visiting Eastgate,” she said.
Hoskin said the mall has also increased its security to ensure the safety of their shoppers during the festive period but urged visitors to the centre to be vigilant and to look after their personal belongings. “We always advise tenants to have the necessary safety measures in place. In the event that we need to be prepared, we are prepared. We have over 500 security cameras in the centre,” said Hoskin.
Eastgate centre management encourages all shoppers to keep the following in mind when shopping:
• Ensure valuables are not visible inside vehicles or are left in unattended vehicles.
• Ensure your vehicle is properly locked before entering the centre.
• Be vigilant and mindful of your surroundings. If anything seems suspicious, please report to the nearest security guard immediately.
• Keep handbags zipped closed and on your person at all time.
• Do not leave personal belongings inside trolleys or prams.
• When withdrawing money from ATMs do not request assistance from anyone or give out your PIN.
• Don’t leave children unattended.
• Teach your child/ren to know their full name as well as your cellphone number.
• If your child goes missing, please report directly to the Centre Management Office or Control Room.
Hoskin advised that queries or concerns can be directed to the Eastgate Centre Management office on 011 479 6000.
The NEWS sent a request for comment to Ster-Kinekor on December 5.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
