Smash-and-grabber snatches Joburg motorist’s bag

An eyewitness at the scene, Thuto Lekhwareng, said: “I was driving along Empire Road on Saturday at about 5.30pm when I noticed a suspicious individual approaching a VW Polo. The next thing I knew, I saw him smash the window of the vehicle,” North Eastern Tribune reported.

Lekhwarenga added the man smashed the glass and walked off with a bag he had removed from the car.

“The guy didn’t even run away; he looked so calm and collected. It was frightening. I thought of pursuing him, however I didn’t want to get myself hurt nor my passengers if he happened to be armed,” she said.

Constable Thabo Malatji of Yeoville police said: “Drivers need to make themselves less desirable to criminals by keeping their belongings out of sight, keeping themselves aware and keeping their windows closed. If there is anyone who looks suspicious, keep a lengthy travelling distance from the car in front of you in order to manoeuvre out of a potential situation if need be.”

In a separate incident, an alleged smash-and-grab robber was arrested after two police officers chased after him as he ran away with a woman’s handbag along Barry Hertzog Avenue, Milpark, in Johannesburg, in May.

Parkview police spokesperson Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha said the victim, Chiron Loubser, was waiting for the traffic light to change when a man smashed her car window and grabbed her bag.

Ramovha said two police officers who had witnessed the incident reported seeing three men running towards a stationary vehicle, and one of the men was holding a woman’s handbag.

“The police managed to stop the vehicle and two suspects who were seated in the back of the vehicle managed to flee the scene. The other suspect was arrested for being in possession of stolen property,” added Ramovha.

– Caxton News Service