Three alleged cellphone thieves struck at Kempton Park Veterinary Hospital in Aston Manor on Tuesday evening, in what can be described as a well-organised crime.
According to vet Thinus Naudé, who was on duty when the incident happened, three well-dressed people entered the hospital. Surveillance footage showed this was around 7pm.
Two, a man and a woman, asked veterinary-related questions, while the third, a man, walked around.
“They weren’t asking the usual questions our clients would ask,” Naudé said. “They weren’t being specific.”
Soon, the hospital’s employees would realise this was a ploy to distract them.
When employee Riaan van den Heever left the front desk to assist a client, the suspects moved in. One man leaned against the desk casually, while the other man and woman continued to distract the employees.
Within seconds, the first suspect leaned over the desk, took Van den Heever’s cellphone and put it in his pocket. The three suspects then made a hasty exit.
According to Naudé, this was not their first visit to the hospital.
“I knew the suspects looked familiar, but I couldn’t place them at first. When I watched the footage, I realised they were the same people who stole my wallet from my office two years ago.”
Naudé added people should always be vigilant to such behaviour.
“We had no reason to mistrust their behaviour at first, and they used that naivety against us.”
A case has been opened with Kempton Park SAPS.
Riaan van den Heever did not respond to Express’ request for comment.
