Woman claims she was drugged, robbed at mall
“It is my culture to help where possible and that was taken advantage of”
Chantell Roemer, Lakeside Mall portfolio manager, warns shoppers to remain vigilant at their centre and not to trust strangers who might approach them under false pretences.
This comes after Suhayfa Packery (22) contacted the City Times, claiming that her personal belongings and shopping items were stolen by two elderly women, whom she believes drugged her and took advantage of her disorientated state.
“I was at Lakeside Mall on June 18 when a woman approached me inside a clothing store, claiming that she needed a taxi fare to get home. She also said she had no food,” Packery explained.
“I took pity on her and offered to abandon my shopping to pick up a few essentials from a food retailer. I also gave her R30 towards the taxi fare.”
On their way to buy food, a second woman joined them.
“I didn’t take too much notice as they were chatting and it appeared that they knew each other,” she said.
“At one stage the second woman was showing me something on her phone and I suddenly started feeling dizzy and disorientated. I felt sick!”
The women then led Suhayfa to a nearby bench where she sat down to regain her senses, but she says it felt as though she had blacked out.
“When I opened my eyes my handbag, cellphone and shopping were gone, along with the two women!” she said.
“I couldn’t remember what happened between me sitting down and regaining my consciousness. I rushed back to the clothing shop to see if I perhaps left my belongings there.
“I explained to the shop assistant what happened and she told me that this happens often.”
According to Roemer, CCTV footage shows Packery sitting on the bench with two women, but it appears that she voluntarily hands over her belongings before they leave and exit the centre.
“We are also aware of other incidents of strangers approaching people with stories of being able to offer them free goods or massive discounts from stores, provided they hand over all their personal belongings in order for the store manager to trust them.
“However, we have not had previous reports of someone claiming they were drugged,” said Roemer.
“We have placed various signs around the mall in to inform customers not to hand over personal belongings to strangers.”
Roemer added that shoppers should immediately inform security personnel if they believe someone is trying to con them out of their belongings.
“Do not be too trusting. If you are approached by someone go to one of the nearest security guards and inform them that you might be in danger.
“Our security guards have been instructed to assist in cases like these and to ensure that the necessary action is taken,” said Roemer.
A case of theft has been reported to the Benoni Police Station for further investigation into the incident at the mall.
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