‘Bogus drug squad cops’ terrorising east pedestrians
“The passenger opened the window and allegedly showed him a police appointment card, claiming to be a police officer.”
The Brooklyn police have launched a manhunt for suspects impersonating police officers then robbing their victims. Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said two cases such case had been reported to the police recently.
She said on 15 August, “a white BMW” has stopped next to 19-year-old man was waiting at a bus stop in Atterbury Road in Lynnwood around 13:20.
“The passenger informed the teen that they were police officers looking for drug dealers,” she said.
“The passenger called the pedestrian closer so that he can give him his contact number in case he happened to come across drug dealers.” She said as the teen was saving the number on his cellphone, the passenger grabbed the phone and the vehicle sped off.
She said in an incident at the beginning of the month, a white Volkswagen Polo had stopped next to a 21-year-old man in Frikkie De Beer Street, Menlyn.
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“The passenger opened the window and allegedly showed him a police appointment card, claiming to be a police officer.
“The alleged police officer asked him whether he was smoking dagga and whether he knew anyone selling dagga.
“The alleged police officer then grabbed the pedestrian’s cellphone and the vehicle drove off.”
Weilbach said such robberies were on the increase as similar incidents were also reported at neighbouring police stations.
“Suspects grab cellphones from pedestrians’ hands and jump into getaway vehicles to make a quick escape.”
She said the police were investigating the common robbery cases and warned pedestrians to avoid the display of cellphones in public.
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“They make themselves prime targets for criminals when they are absorbed in their phones and not aware of their surroundings.”
Anyone with information on these robberies can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Michael Rametsi, at Brooklyn police station on 012-366-1742, or Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211 to report crime anonymously.
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