POLICE have issued a warning to motorists against giving strangers lifts.
This comes after three women were arrested on May 28 for a series of armed robberies since March.
All the robberies took place close to JJ Maritz and Son on Pretoria Road, the most recent one being on May 23 at about 2.30pm.
According to Kempton SAPS spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, these women would use the same modus operandi to trap their victims.
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They would lure motorists by standing on the side of the road, pretending to be prostitutes or stranded and asking for a lift in the direction of Tembisa. Motorists would stop to try and help the women who would then find a way to lure the victim to a secluded area in the bushes.
“Once out of sight, five men would appear out of nowhere, surround the victims and tie them up with ropes. They would demand the victim to provide them with bank card PINs and banking details, take all the victim’s valuables and then withdraw all their cash at an ATM,” Mtshali explained.
It is alleged that when the women were arrested, police were led to two victims who were still at the spot and tied up.
“Ekurhuleni North cluster commander, Maj Gen Vincent Leshabane, thanked the police officers who arrested the trio as this has made a breakthrough to find other perpetrators of this crime. He further warned drivers not to give lifts to strangers.”
The women, two aged 21 and one 27, will face charges of armed robbery.
Police investigations continue and a manhunt has been launched for the other people involved.
