An elderly woman was attacked and robbed of her jewellery in the basement of Lonehill Shopping Centre on 15 October at 2pm. It is believed that she was followed from a shop in Crowthorne Shopping Centre.
She was with her daughter and granddaughter in the parking area before three armed males approached them wearing balaclavas.
Two of the victims sustained injuries during the robbery and were treated at the scene by SLA Emergency Services before being taken to Sunninghill Hospital for further treatment.
The reaction officers promptly called for back-up but the thieves were able to evade arrest. The entire incident from entering to exiting the basement took approximately 3 minutes.
The Lonehill Residents Association (LRA), The Lonehill Shopping Centre owners, Managing Agents and Fidelity Security Services (FSS) released a statement expressing their regret and strong condemnation of the incident.
Incidents of people being specifically targeted for their expensive watches and jewellery are on the increase and the LRA and FSS met with the Lonehill Shopping Centre Management on 16 October to discuss crime prevention measures to prevent a repeat of this incidence.
“The Shopping Centre owners and management are committed to developing a workable crime response strategy, integral to the centre’s upgrade. This will include the installation of real time monitored security cameras. FSS have agreed to assist with further visibility in the interim,” the press release read.
“We have been in contact with both the victims and trauma counselling has been offered to assist in dealing with this traumatic incident.”
The Centre Management thanked the FSS team on site for the professional way in which they handled the incident.
The LRA, FSS and the Lonehill Shopping Centre Management reminds residents to remain vigilant and alert always, to constantly be aware of vehicles following them and of their general surroundings.
Any suspicious activity needs to be reported to the Fidelity Lonehill Control Room (011) 467 2868.
