Sandton CPF warns of cell phone snatching at fuel stations in Sandton

In a troubling development for residents and visitors in Sandton, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) has issued a warning regarding a series of cell phone snatching incidents occurring at fuel stations in the area.

Criminals are using deceptive tactics to target unsuspecting victims, posing a heightened risk for those refuelling their vehicles or stopping for quick convenience store purchases.

According to the CPF, the modus operandi typically involves suspects who identify potential victims while they are at the fuel station.

Also read: ATM crime alert in Sandton

These suspects often follow victims into the convenience store to observe where they place their mobile phones after making purchases. In many cases, victims unwittingly position their phones in specific pockets, or bags, after completing their transactions, making it easier for the thieves to strike.

Sometimes, a second suspect remains outside near the getaway vehicle. When the victim leaves the store, the suspect will approach them, pretending to know them, and will attempt to hug the victim. At that time the suspect will remove the cell phone from the victim’s pocket.

In an effort to combat these incidents, the CPF has outlined several safety tips for the community:

• Be aware of people loitering around on forecourts when visiting garages. Suspects often pretend to be busy with something nearby as the victim enters and exits the store,
• Take note of people entering the store after you, and maybe exiting before you, without purchasing anything, and
• If you have to engage with unknown persons, do so from a distance. Avoid letting them too close.

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