The Crystal Park police are warning taxi commuters to be vigilant following several robbery and assault cases which have been reported recently.
Crystal Park SAPS spokesperson Sgt Lerato Mopeli said the incidents involve a white Quantum taxi with an unknown registration that is transporting commuters in the area.
“It has been reported there are three men and a female, who usually sits in the front passenger seat, in the taxi and one of the men is armed with a gun,” Mopeli said.
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“The modus operandi is that once a commuter gets into the taxi one of the men pulls out a firearm and assaults and robs the passenger of their belongings before dropping them off along the road.
“The suspects are believed to be in their early 30s and they speak isiZulu.
“We urge commuters to be vigilant or to catch a taxi at their nearest taxi rank only.
“Women especially should avoid getting into a taxi in this area on their own and also rather commute in groups.
“Anyone who has fallen victim to this gang should come forward and make a statement to police.”
Mopeli is also appealing to the community to try to get the registration number of the taxi, to help the police trace it.
In June, the Benoni SAPS reported to the City Times that it has come to the police’s attention that there is a taxi operating in the late afternoons in the Benoni area.
The white Quantum has three or four occupants, including the driver, and people boarding the taxi are robbed while inside.
In 2018, it was reported that there is a white Quantum taxi transporting commuters in Benoni Small Holdings and surrounding areas.
Mopeli said most of the time the taxi would pick up commuters along Birch Road in the afternoon.
She said it is not clear if it is the same gang committing these crimes.
Mopeli added that residents should be careful when using the ATMs at Cloverdene Mall and at the Sasol garage in Cloverdene as criminal incidents have occurred here recently.
“Do not ask for help from anyone at an ATM,” she said.
