Two recent cases involve incidents in Northmead and Farrarmere.
On July 25 at about noon, a man was robbed of his cellphone on Sixth Street, Northmead.
Capt Nomsa Sekele, Benoni SAPS spokesperson, said while the victim was walking, he came across two men who tripped him and searched him for his cellphone and money.
“As the suspects fled, the 18-year-old man managed to scream as a police vehicle was passing by,” said Sekele.
“After relating the story to the police and giving a description of the suspects, the two men were chased and arrested.
“The suspects were searched and the victim’s cellphone was found in their possession.”
The suspects were detained at the Benoni SAPS.
In another incident, a 15-year-old boy was robbed of his cellphone in Farrarmere at about 2pm.
Sekele said a group of men threatened the teenager and took his cellphone.
One of the alleged suspects was later arrested.
Sekele said these areas are known to be prone to street robberies:
• Voortrekker Street.
• Tom Jones Street.
• Cranbourne Avenue.
• Bunyan Street.
• The vicinity of the Benoni Plaza.
She said the culprits, who are usually in pairs or threes, carry knives or firearms.
The spokesperson provided the following tips for residents to reduce their chances of falling victim to common robbery:
• Do not have your cellphone in your hand when walking in the street.
• Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
• If you are attacked, do not resist. Look at the robbers so that you can later identify them.
