Robbers strike at Westville liquor store

A LIQUOR outlet in Westville was reportedly broken into in the early hours of Tuesday, 28 July.

“This morning at 5.30am, the security guard noticed a vehicle with four male occupants parked at the Village Market in Jan Hofmeyer Road,” said spokesperson for Westville SAPS, Captain Elizabeth Squires.

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“They entered through the glass doors and smashed the door of Pick n Pay Liquors,” said Squires, adding that the men took boxes of liquor from the shop, loaded it into their vehicle and fled.

“The exact type of liquor and value is still unknown and nobody was injured,” said Squires.

Squires confirmed that Westville SAPS detectives are investigating the business break-in

Pick n Pay Family store manager, Ross Henry, whose family own the stores, said on Wednesday morning that the store was still doing a stock take to ascertain what had been taken in the break in.

Tuesday’s incident was also confirmed by Captain Nqobile Gwala.

Lockdown

During the early stages of lockdown when the sale of alcohol was banned, there was reportedly an increase in break-ins to liquor outlets nationally.

This included some novel methods utilised by those breaking into the stores.

There were many incidents, particularly in the Western Cape where reports of multiple arrests featured in national headlines.

ALSO READ:Liquor traders plea with government to lift alcohol ban

However, the incident this morning is the first in the Westville policing precinct since the lockdown began, according to Squires.

The lifting of the booze ban when we entered level three of the lockdown restrictions meant people were able to legally buy alcoholic beverages.

When, President Cyril Ramaphosa, on 12 July, announced the reinstatement of the prohibition of the sale, dispensing and distribution of liquor, all liquor outlets were once again closed.

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