Police have warned people to be wary of criminals following them after they have withdrawn money, of theft at shopping malls and of capped plastic bottles lying around.
Ga-Rankuwa police spokesperson Warrant Officer Matthews Nkoadi said a syndicate was targeting people after they had withdrawn money. “We have received numerous reports from the residents who experienced these robberies in the last few weeks,” he said.
“The modus operandus is that the suspects physically follow the victims from the bank to their place of residence. Among the suspects, is a woman who will pretend to be kind to the victim . Then her accomplices pounce on the victims, especially those carrying large amounts of money.”
Nkoadi said another danger was thieves preying on people at shopping malls.
Last week, a woman was robbed of her laptop and cash of about R17 000 by people who claimed to be prophets. “These people are wandering in the malls. We would to warn the community members not to accept any help from strangers when carrying a large amount of money.”
He urged people to report criminal activity to crime-stop number 08600-10111 or SMS line 32211.”
Pretoria police warned residents to be wary of capped plastic bottles that might contain a potent mixture of Jeyes Fluid, tin foil and a little water. These bottles were sometimes left on lawns, in mail boxes, in gardens and even on driveways.
Spokesperson Colonel Corn Snel said the thieves waited for the victims to pick up the bottle.
“If the bottle is picked up and shaken even just a little, it builds up enough gas in about 30 seconds to explode with enough force to remove some of your extremities. The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well,” said Snel.
He advised the residents not pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in their yards or in the gutter. “Pay attention to this: A plastic bottle with a cap. A little Jeyes. A little water. A small piece of foil. Trying to disturb it by moving it and it explodes.”
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