Phone thieves target learners

Learners who walk to schools in Northmead and the surrounding areas are advised to be cautious and avoid talking to or lending their phones to strangers.

This warning comes after a Wordsworth High School learner who lives in Northmead was recently targeted by a deceptive woman alleged to be part of a syndicate stealing cellphones.

The learner was walking home from school when the woman approached him in Webb Street, claiming to be lost and searching for an address nearby.

The boy’s grandmother said the woman, described as being in her 50s, told her grandson her phone’s battery was dead and asked if she could use his.

“Trusting her because she appeared to be an elderly woman in distress, my grandson handed over his device.

“He said then, within moments, an older model gold BMW pulled up, and the woman jumped into the vehicle, clutching his phone as they sped off.

“He immediately tried to chase the vehicle on foot, hoping it would get stopped at a nearby traffic light, but the BMW turned at the intersection.” The driver of the car was also reportedly a female.

“He was in shock, frightened and upset. It’s concerning that women commit this crime.

“People often trust women more readily, which makes this all the more disturbing,” the grandmother said.

She added that upon viewing CCTV footage from neighbours, it appeared the vehicle had been on standby, ready to execute the theft.

Since the incident, the grandmother said she has taken steps to alert learners walking home from schools like Benoni High, Hans Moore and Wordsworth High to remain vigilant.

“I urge parents to remind their children of the importance of not engaging with strangers, regardless of age or appearance.

“I also urge local schools to inform learners of this alarming event, emphasising the need for vigilance in their daily routines. Let us work together to ensure the safety of our community’s children.”

Benoni SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele said this incident could indicate a potential new crime syndicate in the area, following a similar case reported at the police station on October 9.

“In that incident, the suspect was also a woman who approached a learner for help, asking to use her phone. “Suddenly, another individual emerged from behind, strangled the victim and robbed her of her phone and money,” said Sekele.

She urged all learners to be extra cautious. “Learners might be preoccupied with thoughts of their exams, but they should remain aware of their surroundings,” said Sekele.

The Benoni City Times requested comment from Benoni High School, Hans Moore and Wordsworth High about what steps or measures they have taken to ensure learners’ safety when commuting and if they have co-ordinated with local authorities to increase security around routes used by learners.

No comment was received at the time of publication.

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