A 59-year-old man of Secunda appeared in Toti Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 September and was granted bail of R2,000.
His next court appearance is on Monday, 16 September where he will plead to a charge of fraud. He cannot be named until he has pleaded.
According to administrative director of Bobbi Bear, Eureka Olivier, a Warner Beach store owner alerted her to the man’s activities on Saturday. “I thank Lee Anne Johnstone of the Little Craft Shop who persistently called the office and alerted me about the man.”
After rushing to Warner Beach with a staff member, the man was nowhere in sight. “We eventually spotted and followed him and called the police. He was hiding in an alley, where he was arrested.”
It is believed the same white-haired man was caught on a store’s CCTV footage, also doing the rounds in Warner Beach in 2012.
“Bobbi Bear never has and never will raise funds in this manner. If anyone is approached in this manner raising funds for us, keep them busy and alert us. We thank the community for looking out for us,” said Eureka.
If any business or individual has been approached by the conman, call investigating officer W/O Renier du Preez on 031-913-1339 or 074-372-8523 or Eureka on 072-443-2525.
