Criminals benefit from ‘human-instinct’
Motorists warned not to stop for ‘bodies’ on the road.
Human-like dummies left on or next to a road is a tactic used by criminals to ensnare motorists.
Dummies, made from trash wrapped in plastic, had previously been reported to be another method used by hijackers and criminals to target motorists.
“Criminals would prey on the human-instinct to help a person in need. At night it would be hard to tell whether it’s a dummy or a real person,” AfriForum spokesperson Tarien Cooks told Rekord after a dummy was found in Hammanskraal in April.
A dummy that resembled a child was discovered on the corner of Huilboom and Hardekool roads but some residents argued that it was made as a prank.
“Children were playing with it near a store,” one of the residents had told Rekord.
Community policing forums, however, still warned residents not to stop to pick up dummies next to the road – even if might be just a ‘prank’.
The dummy found in Hammanskraal, police said, could have been a failed attempt by criminals to ensnare unsuspecting victims.
Sinoville police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said that it was important that residents be informed and knew all possible modus operandi of criminals.
“You should not stop for anything on the road, especially when driving at night,” he said.
“Whether you see something that looks like a body – or see an actual body on the road; don’t stop or get out of your vehicle.”
Van Dyk suggested immediately calling 10111 and emergency services.
“Even stopping your vehicle next to the road could make you an easy target. Take note of the street name and call the police, an ambulance service and CPF in the area.”
Also read:
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
