SAPS Brooklyn is concerned about the increase in armed and common robberies in the area.
Five pedestrians were robbed in seven days.
Brooklyn SAPS spokesperson, Colette Weilbach said on Friday at 03:00, a 19-year-old man was talking to his friend in the street in Lynnwood when an unknown man asked him for a cigarette.
When he said he did not have any, the man grabbed his cellphone out of his pocket and ran away.
On Saturday morning at 07:00, in Lynnwood Glen, a 24-year-old man was talking on his cellphone as he walked in the street when an unknown man came from behind and grabbed his cellphone.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Smash, grab robberies on the rise
At 19:45, a 29-year-old woman was walking with a friend in Nieuw Muckleneuk when an orange BMW 1 Series stopped next to them.
An unknown man got out from the vehicle and snatched her handbag, got back into the car, which sped off.
Around 23:00, a 25-year-old woman was walking with friends in Hatfield when a red BMW stopped next to them.
Two unknown men got out of the vehicle and approached them.
The women tried to escape but the men managed to grab the woman’s handbag.
When she tried to fight back, they threatened her with a firearm.
On Sunday at 22:10, a 28-year-old man walking to the taxi rank in Menlyn was robbed from his cellphone.
His assailants pushed him to the ground, then searched him and robbed him of his cellphone.
Weilbach said these crimes show that criminals were operating at all hours in all areas in the Brooklyn policing precinct targeting pedestrians.
ALSO READ: Rise in Lynnwood robberies
“In all incidents, electronic devices, mobile phones, handbags or cash are the desired target. Fortunately, there have been no injuries.”
Weilbach said the Brooklyn SAPS had increased vehicle and foot patrols, were conducting stop-and-search operations to prevent further crimes and hoped to make arrests soon.
The SAPS offered the following safety advice for pedestrians:
– Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
– When going out, try to stay in a group, there is safety in numbers.
– Walk with others at night, including to and from your car, whenever possible.
– Try to park in well-lit areas and be cautious when strangers approach you to ask for the time, a lighter or directions.
– Note that people who seem unaware of their immediate surroundings make for easy targets.
– Pedestrians on their cellphones or wearing headphones will be less aware of someone following them.
– Such a distraction prevents you from hearing the tell-tale sounds such as running feet or the rustle of clothing as someone approaches you quickly.
– Rather conceal valuables until you have reached your destination.
– Walk on the pavement, facing oncoming traffic.
– Limit your alcohol intake because alcohol impairs discernment.
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
