Suspected cellphone robber arrested in East
The man, who was searched at the shopping centre, was found with two cellphones in his possession.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the Menlyn Park shopping centre where he had fled after allegedly robbing a woman in Glenfair this week.
The man allegedly snatched a woman’s phone at the Lynnwood Bridge shopping centre, got into a getaway car and tried to flee the scene.
“The woman was waiting for her husband at Lynnwood Bridge when the suspect snatched her phone,” said Brooklyn police spokesperson Sergeant Webster Scheepers.
“The husband, who was close by, witnessed the ordeal and gave chase.
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“The alleged robber entered Menlyn Mall where the husband caught up with him and informed security about the robbery.”
Police were called to the scene where another phone was discovered in the man’s possession.
“Further investigation was done and it was discovered the second cellphone belonged to a 26-year-old woman,” Scheepers said.
“The cellphone was also grabbed from the victim by the same suspect,” Scheepers said.
“The suspect will appear in the Hatfield community court facing two charges of common robbery and a charge of possession of suspected stolen goods,” he said.
“In both incidents, the victims were standing with their cellphones in their hands or was busy talking on it when it were grabbed from them. The suspect then jumped into a vehicle that was waiting nearby for a speedy getaway.”
Webster gave the following tips to cellphone users:
– Cellphones must be treated the same way as cash; keep them out of sight, and put it away while in public.
– Only text or make a call when a safe destination is reached.
Anyone with information about these robberies is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Caba at Brooklyn police station at 012-366-1775, or Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.
Crime can also be reported anonymously on the MySAPS app.
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