Stories differ on armed robbery at Fontainebleau Spar

Police confirmed that an armed robbery took place at Fontainebleau Spar on 19 November. Linden Police Spokesperson Constable Carol Mulamu said that the complainant arrived at the Spar at about 2pm and bought groceries. “When he was approaching his vehicle to put in the groceries, he noticed an unknown male coming toward him,” Mulamu explained.

“The suspect pointed the firearm at him and another took out the laptop from the complainant’s vehicle. They demanded his cellphone and also groceries. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown vehicle. No shots were fired and no one was injured. Linden Police are investigating an armed robbery case, no arrests made yet.”

However, the Spar’s management and staff gave a completely different side of the story. The Spar’s owner Nick Papayannopoulos and employee Patricia Lebelo hold that only a theft out of motor vehicle incident occurred. Lebelo, who claimed to have seen the incident, said that at about 4pm two men in a silver vehicle opened the doors of a white Toyota Fortuner, probably having used a car jammer to prevent its locking, and took a laptop and bag.

Lebelo said that the men left the scene without any incident or confrontation with the victim. She claimed that after the suspects left, she entered the Spar, found the victim, and told him his belongings were taken. A security guard at the Spar explained that he and another guard were on duty at the time, but because of the rain they were around the corner, at the Spar’s entrance, and did not see the incident.

Mulamu appealed to residents with information regarding the incident to go to Linden Police Station and report it, or contact the Crime Stop line on

086 001 0111 or send an anonymous SMS to 32211.

Details: Fontainebleau Spar 011 792 3369, Linden Police 011 888 9212.