Brooklyn police are searching for three suspects who robbed two young men whom they “hired” to help them load boxes.
On Friday, 8 February, at about 16:45 a 19-year-old man and his friend were walking down Prospect Street in Hatfield, said police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach.
“A stranger speaking Zulu approached them and offered them R220 each to help him load some boxes.”
Another person walking by stopped and indicated that he was also interested in helping.
“They were then taken to an alley behind a restaurant, where they were met by another man.”
Weilbach said the person who hired them then asked for their belongings and cellphones “to tag them with barcodes”.
This, according to the suspect, was to prevent theft as they had had problems previously in this regard.
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One of the friends handed his cellphone and wallet over to the man.
“The other man became suspicious and refused to hand over his cellphone. The Zulu-speaking man and the other men then grew aggressive and threatened him with a knife.
“The two friends then realised the man who said he was also interested in loading boxes was actually in cahoots with the suspects.”
The suspects then took their cellphones and fled on foot.
No one was injured during the incident.
“We are investigating a robbery with a weapon or instrument other than a firearm.”
No arrests have been made.
“This is one of many scams that criminals use to exploit people with a trusting demeanour,” said Weilbach.
She said the scenario was changed according to the targeted victim.
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“If it is a woman they intend to rob, they will ask her to help them count cosmetics.”
She asked community members to be always alert and suspicious when approached by strangers.
“There are also false ‘prophets’ going around who are approaching people to tell them about their problems and who offer solutions.
“The victim usually must leave behind a cellphone or other valuables, while they ‘buy’ water or milk for the ceremony.”
She said it was advisable not to believe such “prophets”, who only wanted to rob community members of their belongings.
“Rather make use of own religious leaders with whom a trusted relationship has been established over some time,” said Weilbach.
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