Fleet-fingered con men on the prowl
The SAPS were summoned, but said the businesses could not open a case as the money was the responsibility of the cashier. "This is utter nonsense," said Van Wyk. "Since when does criminal activity become the responsibility of the victim?"
At least two businesses in Crown Street that Barberton Times is aware of were robbed on Monday.
Two men entered Mica separately just before 12:00. They arrived at the cashier at the same time, both with small items.
The first man produced a R200 note with which he paid for his goods. While the cashier was getting his change, he turned around and retrieved the shopping bag with which he had entered the store from somewhere behind him from where he had left it earlier. He placed the bag on the counter between his accomplice and himself and accepted the R187 change from the cashier.
On CCTV footage (underneath this story) provided by Mica, one can clearly see how he slips the R100 behind the shopping bag. The other man pockets the R100. He then tells the cashier that she has only given him R87. She gives him another R100. He remains at the counter while the second man pays for his goods, making a huge fuss of folding the receipt. After the second man pays, the first one leaves the store.
After his purchase, for which he pays with the correct amount of money, the second man asks the cashier to give him two R200 notes in exchange for three R100s and two R50s. The cashier accepts the R400 from him and gives him two R200s. With an incredible quick hand, he exchanges one of the R200 notes for a R20, and slips the R200 into his pocket.
He then shows it to the cashier and tells her that she gave him a R20 instead of R200. The cashier takes the R20 and gives him R200, thinking that she made a mistake. He leaves the building.
Moments later the confused cashier calls her colleague, Eugene van Wyk, requesting to see the footage.
Simoné Eksteen of Eksteen Pharmacy was unable to speak to Barberton Times on Monday afternoon as she was otherwise engaged, but she confirmed that it was the exact same two men who had outwitted them earlier on the same day.
The SAPS were summoned, but said the businesses could not open a case as the money was the responsibility of the cashier.
“This is utter nonsense,” said Van Wyk. “Since when does criminal activity become the responsibility of the victim?”
Barberton Times only learned about these incidents just before 17:00. No one at the police charge office was able to assist, and on requesting to speak to the station commander Col Sunbright Ndlovu the journalist was put on hold.
Barberton Times will attempt to get hold of Col Ndlovu throughout the week.
