A local businessman, Anthony Singh, barely escaped being a victim of a robbery at a shopping complex in Scott Street.
“I had just bought some groceries and was busy loading it into my cars boot, when I was accosted by a man who asked me about my potatoes. I tried to ignore him but he continuously insisted we shake hands while following me. I soon realised he was a criminal, when he attempted to put his hand in my back pocket to steal my money. I quickly pushed him away from me.”
Singh claimed the man and his ‘partner’ started swearing at him and then quickly fled the scene.
“I approached the Centre Management the next day and informed them of what had happened. We viewed the camera footage and saw the two men who had attempted to rob me. I also received information that the same man was arrested for another crime he had committed after trying to rob me. I then went to the police station to report the incident to them, but, I was told there was no reason to open a case as the robber was unsuccessful.”
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Singh admitted that he was horrified that nothing could be done about the situation, regardless of whether they were successful in robbing him or not.
Centre Management commented on the incident and said it was unacceptable such a criminal offence had occurred at the centre.
“However, security guards at the centre were warned to be more vigilant, as crime would not be tolerated.”
The Newcastle SAPS urged members of the public not to carry large sums of money with them while in the CBD.
With the increase in robberies reported in the CBD area, police have issued the following safety precautions:
– Refrain from making cash deposits
– Do not openly display money
– Avoid carrying money bags or briefcases
– If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company
– Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public, rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank
– Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’
– Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
“We would also like to warn all stokvel members to take extra precautions when dealing with large amounts of cash this festive season.”
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