Police in Alexandra have raised their concern over the rising number of shoplifting cases in the township’s two main malls.
A number of residents have been searched by security guards and were found to have shoplifted items ranging from shoes to shoe polish, as well as edible items.
Alex cluster police spokesperson Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela said the rising trend was raising concerns, and said he believed they could be linked to the rising level of poverty and unemployment in the area.
A security guard at the entrance of the Shoprite supermarket in the Plaza Mall said he noticed two suspicious-looking men as they approached him to exit the store. According to Maphakela, the guard then asked to search the two men, but they fled the scene. The guard then radioed for support and the suspects were caught by other guards. The men were each found to have a huge stash of kiwi shoe polish hidden in the inside pockets of their jackets.
In another case, a guard at the Jet Store in the Pan Africa Mall also wanted to search two male suspects exiting the store. They refused to be searched and attempted to flee but were caught and found with various shoes and slippers.
The suspects were arrested and detained at the Alexandra Police Station. Maphakela said all the suspects are expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on charges of shoplifting.
Details: Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela 082 411 0188.
