COMMUTERS travelling to Birchleigh Railway Station to catch a train or taxi are warned to be weary of robbers in the area targeting people early in the morning and late in the evening.
“My cousin and I were robbed on two different occasions at the same spot and we believe it’s the same guys as the modus operandi was the same. They come up to you and are armed with either a knife or gun.
“They take you to the veld, tie you up, take your cell phone and bank card,” said a 32-year-old man who lives in Birchleigh.
He said one robber would take your bank card and withdraw cash from the nearby garage’s ATM while the other stayed behind and kept watch of the victim.
“They then leave you there and run off,” he added.
The man, who lives in a complex near the station, said about five other people in the complex had been robbed in a similar manner.
Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, has confirmed that they have received several complaints in this regard and are monitoring in the area.
“A woman who works as a security officer was robbed recently while walking to work. She was approached by a man who told her he was also on his way to work and they walked together,” said Molokomme.
As they walked and reached the thoroughfare, they were approached by two men and one pointed a firearm at them. The man she was walking with told her not to scream and she was robbed of her handbag.
“Residents are urged not to walk alone in this area and the surrounding streets such as Elgin, Stasie and Matumi streets. If possible, they should form walking groups to walk to and from the station as individuals are easily targeted by criminals,” he said.
Molokomme said residents walking frequently on the route should call the sector 1 vehicle on 071-675-6802/3.
