Olievenhoutbosch police warn on carrying cash

Police have warned Olievenhoutbosch residents against carrying large amounts of cash on their person, following a spate of robberies in the area.

Three armed robberies have been reported in the area, according to police spokesperson Constable Ulrika van Dyk.

“In all three cases, an undisclosed amount of money was taken.”

In the most recent incident, a 51-year-old motorist was shot and injured last Thursday, during an armed robbery on the Samrand road on-ramp to the N1.

READ MORE: Attempted robbery at Centurion jewellery store

The man was travelling in a silver Mercedes Benz when the four robbers in another car barricaded his way while two others shot at him.

The robbers fled with an undisclosed amount of money they took from him.

“With the festive season fast approaching, this is the time when criminals execute their plans to commit crime,” said Van Dyk.

“Victims are being followed by the banks after making large cash withdrawals.

“Criminals follow them to their residence, place of work or any other place where it is easy to rob them.”

READ MORE: UPDATE: Two arrested for Laudium cash-in-transit robbery

For this reason, police have issued the following safety tips:

– Carry as little cash as possible.
– Consider the convenience of paying your accounts electronically.
– Consider making use of cell phone banking or Internet transfers or ATMs.
– Never make bank visits public, even to people close to you.
– Vary the days and times on which you deposit cash.
– Do not openly display the money you are depositing, while you are standing in the bank queue.
– Avoid carrying moneybags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt.
– It is advisable to identify another branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily recognisable or detected.
– If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company.
– Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public; rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank.
– Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
– If you suspect that you are being followed after a visit to the bank, call your nearest police station immediately and give them the description of the suspects, make, model and registration number of the car you suspect is following you.
– If you are involved in a confrontation with anyone who demands your money, comply with them as your life is worth more than any amount of money.

Van Dyk urged anyone with more information on the recent robberies to contact Olievenhoutbosch police on 012-652-0070/8 or to contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111.

READ MORE: Cash-in-transit officers robbed in Laudium 

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