According to them, criminals are using all kinds of tricks, including pretending to be police officers, to get their hands on others’ money.
In one incident this week, a woman and her grandmother went to withdraw money at around 10:30 on Friday morning. They saw another woman pick up money from the sidewalk in front of Absa in Annan Road. Thinking it was a quick way to get more money, the women agreed to go along to Eden Village so they could share the find there. Once there, however, a gold-coloured Toyota Corolla pulled up and wanted to know who had picked up the money. The men in the car identified themselves as police officers. They then forced the woman and her grandmother into the car and started searching them. While this was going on, the victim begged them to let her grandmother go as she had diabetes.
The men took the R4,000 the woman had on her and dropped both women on the side of the road. The suspects threw bags and an umbrella at them before speeding away.
In another incident at around 16:20 on the same day, a resident had just withdrawn cash at the Standard Bank branch opposite the same Absa Bank when he was also robbed of his money. He was walking around the corner in Flint Street when a white Toyota Corolla pulled up next to him. One of the occupants pointed a firearm at him and they forced him to lie down on the back seat. The suspects then drove towards Fountain Private Hospital but turned off to Blyvoor. They stopped at the slimes dam and forced the victim out of the car, tied his hands and feet and started searching him. The suspects grabbed the R4,200 the victim had just withdrawn, his cell phone and bank card. They then sped off, leaving him stranded on the side of the road. The victim managed to crawl closer to the main road and untie himself. He tried to flag passing vehicles down but only got a lift to the police station after some time.
Following these cases, the police warn people to be on the alert for people watching them and not fall victim to criminal tricks.
“Do not stop to pick up money on the sidewalk. This is just a scam to rob you,” a police officer warns.
Anyone who may have information that could lead to the arrest of these criminals should contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Jacques Nagel, at 082 880 4611.
