Beware of snatch and run thieves

POLOKWANE – At least three residents travelling in vehicles have had their jewellery snatched off them by thieves on the corner of Hans van Rensburg and Grobler Street over the past two weeks.

Johan and Tanya Booysen was on their way to buy take away food on Friday October 17 when a man approached their vehicle and banged on the right side of the vehicle. Both of them turned to see what the problem was when Tanya felt her gold chain being ripped from her neck by another man.

“There was no time to stop the man, and as I was in traffic, I could not even get out of my vehicle to catch the man who simply walked off as if nothing had happened,” Johan said.

The couple said they had not opened a case at the police station as they were unable to give a description of the thieves.

“It all happened so fast and the shock was so great that you do not pay attention to what is happening, let alone what the man looks like. I cannot even remember what he was wearing,” Tanya said.

In two additional separate incidents on the same corner, two women were robbed of their jewellery after one man attempted opening the back door of their vehicles where a child was seated while a second man made off with jewellery snatched from the passengers and drivers.

In all three cases the incidents happened so fast that there was no clear description of the men and no cases were reported.

“We just want people who make use of the city’s streets to be aware of the danger and help prevent this from happening again,” the Booysens said.

Polokwane police spokesperson WO Lesiba Ramoshaba said it was important for people to report such incidents at the police station. He said this would assist the police in being pro-active by doing more regular patrols in these areas.

“People should be aware of their surroundings at all times. When travelling keep all windows closed and doors locked, and try not to wear valuable jewellery,” Ramoshaba advised.