TRIPS to the beach ended on a bad note for two people, thanks to prowling criminals.
Police spokesman, Captain Gerald Mfeka, said a local resident was watching the sunrise at Margate beach last Sunday morning at 5.30am when he noticed three men walking past.
“One of the men came back and asked the resident for a cigarette, which he gave the man, who then left,” he said.
It is reported that the same man came back 10 minutes later, threatened the beachgoer with a bottle and demanded his wallet, cellphone and jacket.
The previous day, a man was walking along Lilliecrona Boulevard in Manaba at about 5.55pm when he was also approached for a cigarette, which he said he didn’t have.
Capt Mfeka said the man who wanted the cigarette and who was apparently carrying a knife wrapped with newspaper, demanded the victim’s cellphone and jacket and then ran away.
Crime is an ongoing problem at the beach and Cpt Mfeka warned beachgoers to be extra careful. He urged people to report suspicious activity to the police and to not to visit isolated places.
