Local business owner, petrol station robbed in Van der Hoff Road
"A third suspect was waiting outside when two men entered the shop and demanded money."
A local business owner in Hercules was robbed of a large amount of money on Monday morning.
Gregory Theophamides (68), the owner of Venus Dry Cleaners in Van der Hoff Road, was on his way to the bank at around 10:20 to deposit money when two suspects approached him from the front.
They grabbed the bag of cash he wanted to deposit at the bank.
Theophamides ran after the two men, but they managed to get into a waiting getaway car and sped off.
“I have been the owner of the business for 49 years now and this is the first time something like this has happened to me,” he told Rekord.
“It was terrifying.”
Hercules police spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango confirmed that a case of robbery was opened at the station.
“No arrests have been made in connection with the robbery,” Msimango said.
READ MORE: Suspects rob west business owner of large amount of cash
Yet another unrelated armed business robbery was reported at Hercules police station and Hercules CPF sector 4 on Saturday, 29 May.
According to Edna van Vuuren of the CPF, two armed men entered the Caltex garage on the corners of Van der Hoff Road and Richards Bay Avenue shortly after 20:00.
“A third suspect was waiting outside when two men entered the shop and demanded money.
“They left the scene on foot going in two different directions,” she said.
Two men – one wearing a red shirt and the other a blue hoodie, were caught on camera.
“A female employee was standing at the back of the till when one of them demanded money.
“Another worker was also in the shop at the time of the incident.”
Manager of the shop Faizal Chelku said it was an unfortunate event.
“No one was hurt during the robbery but some of the staff members are still very traumatised,” he said.
Msimango said a case of business robbery was opened at the station and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
“No arrests have been made. The suspects are unknown,” he said
The police and the CPF provided the following tips for businesses in regards to deposits and withdrawals:
– Do not carry cash in bank bags or briefcases, because then it is obvious that you’re carrying cash. Also do not use handbags.
– Arrange payments to beneficiaries through electronic transfers.
– Don’t make withdrawals on high-risk days, such as Monday, Friday or Saturday or just before the end of the month.
– Avoid paying casual and contract workers in cash – consider alternative methods.
– Alternate the days, times and routes when going to the bank.
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