UPDATE: More ‘car jump’ robberies in the east over the weekend
Last month the Brooklyn SAPS reported these robberies occurred close to where students gathered such as residencies and entertainment places in Hatfield and Menlo Park, or at fast food outlets while victims waited for their food order.
Brooklyn police have again urged students and young people in the area to be vigilant when they use cellphones in public.
This after more so-called “car jump” robberies were reported over the weekend.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said police are investigating three more robberies in which cellphones were grabbed from users’ hands.
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“In all the incidents an unknown man came from behind, grabbed the cellphone then ran towards a getaway vehicle waiting nearby.”
“The vehicle sped off the moment the suspect jumped in, and the robberies were over within seconds.”
She said the victims, two men and one woman, all aged 18, were robbed between 21:00 and 23:00.
“The one male victim was standing with friends outside a student residence in Hatfield when his cellphone was grabbed from his hand.”
The suspect jumped into a Toyota Corolla which sped off.
The other two incidents occurred at nightclubs or pubs in Lynnwood Road.
“It is alleged one of the suspects jumped into an app taxi to escape.”
Last month the Brooklyn SAPS reported these robberies occurred close to where students gathered such as residencies and entertainment places in Hatfield and Menlo Park, or at fast food outlets while victims waited for their food order.
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She said most robberies occurred over the weekend between 20:00 and 00:00.
She said technology was taking people’s focus and awareness away from what was going on around them.
“Cellphone users listening to music, texting, talking or otherwise absorbed in their phones are making themselves a prime target for criminals.”
“These car jump robberies are crimes of opportunity.
“Cellphones must be treated the same way as cash; do not let anybody know that you have it, and put it away when you are in public,” warned Weilbach.
She added that headsets are a clear indication that a person is in possession of a cellphone.
“Although arrests are made for common robberies and visible patrols were increased, the SAPS cannot be on every street corner.”
“Cellphone users can help police reduce such crimes by taking better care of their belongings. Therefore put your head up and your cellphone down.”
Anyone with information on these robberies can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Michael Rametsi at Brooklyn police station at 012-366-1742, or Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211 to report crime anonymously.
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