Last Monday morning a man, allegedly pretending to be a patron, sat at a table close to the general manager’s office and ordered breakfast.
According to security reports, the latter noticed that one of his grillers was talking to the patron, and both men looked uncomfortable when they saw him watching them.
The manager returned to his office and informed the front-of-house manager of her daily duties, one of which was to transport R19 000 cash to the bank in town. According to a car guard the patron left in a white old-shape Corolla with registration number DPP 255 MP.
Two hours later while the front-of-house manager had been waiting for a taxi in the car park, the white Corolla apparently pulled up next to her, grabbed her handbag, containing the cash, and sped off.
One of the waiters witnessed the incident and immediately reported what he had seen to the general manager.
Security companies were notified and launched a search for the Corolla, but to no avail. The griller was questioned after footage clearly showed him and the suspect in conversation.
He allegedly confessed to cooperating with the suspect and claimed that the front-of-house manager had also been in on the deal.
She was also questioned but denied allegations, claiming that the suspect had held her at gunpoint and that she had handed the cash over to him for fear of her life.
The waiter, however, testified that he did not see a firearm when the incident occurred.
The griller and front-of-house manager were arrested and appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Both were released on bail pending further investigation.
The restaurant’s general manager stated that this incident taught him not to trust anyone with cash and that in future he would handle all cash transactions personally.
Spes-Plan advises all business owners to install a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and ensure there is sufficient lighting at the premises, to ensure all electronic security systems are in working condition and to test the panic buttons regularly.
Report any suspicious person or activity immediately to ensure the safety of employees and clients.
