Beware of spike in robbery incidents, warns Wentworth police
Gumede urges the community to report this type of crime immediately and to be vigilant when walking along the streets or waiting for transport.
WENTWORTH police have urged residents to be cautious following a spike in incidents of common robbery, targeting unsuspecting females in their precinct.
The station’s spokesperson, Captain Mbuso Gumede said the latest incident involved a 21-year-old woman who was attacked by a male who had jumped out of the passenger’s seat of a vehicle that had stopped in front of her. The man proceeded to grab her. The victim had been walking along Assegai Crescent while on her way to the pharmacy.
“The driver opened the back door as he was sitting in the driver’s seat. The suspect tried to pull the victim into the vehicle but she resisted. She was robbed of her cell phone during the incident. A case was opened on 27 August. The suspects are two males who were travelling in a silver Toyota Etios with no number plates. One of the suspects was reported to have a scar under his eye,” said Cpt Gumede.
In a separate incident reported at the station, a 31-year-old woman was waiting for a taxi along Austerville Drive when a silver Toyota Etios stopped next to her with three men inside the car. “One of the passengers jumped out and tried to force her into the car, but she also resisted. The suspect then grabbed her cellphone from her hand and jumped back into the car.
“The suspects then drove off after being disturbed by a motorist who offered assistance and took the victim to the police station to report the case,” said Gumede.
Both incidents have reported to the police and are being investigated. Gumede urges the community to report this type of crime immediately and to be vigilant when walking along the streets or waiting for transport.
“Ensure that cellphones are not answered openly and is kept away or inside the bag. Police are patrolling and will do everything to bring these perpetrators/suspects to book,” he said. Report all crime to Wentworth Saps on 031- 451-6240/ 6241/ 6242 or the Crime Stop line on 08600-10111.
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