BARBERTON – Over recent months, the usually quiet town of Barberton has often been targeted by armed robbers at residential homes as well as business premises.
On Monday morning Lawrence Reyneke, owner of Pappas, arrived at the restaurant at approximately 08:15, slightly earlier than his usual 09:45.
“When I arrive in the mornings, I let myself in and lock up behind me, but on Monday, one of my staff members was already there, so we entered and didn’t lock up,” said Lawrence.
Mere minutes later Lawrence saw three men walking up the steps and around the veranda towards the side entrance of the building. He went out through the side door and asked if he could assist. “The one was holding a piece of paper in his hand. I immediately got the feeling that something was wrong and was instantly alert, but it was too late.”
One of the three rapidly approached Lawrence and grabbed him by the throat, forcing him back into the building. All were armed. They forced him down to the floor and when Lawrence screamed for help, he was held down with a firearm at his throat.
They tied his hands behind his back with his own shoelaces and threatened to kill him should he make any further noise.
The female staff member heard the noise and tried to run away for help, but as she was attempting to climb over the wall behind the premises, one of the men dragged her down.
“I just kept my eyes shut and told them that I wouldn’t look at them. At that moment I didn’t even bother to disobey for fear of my life. By shutting my eyes, I thought they might be less aggressive because chances were that I wouldn’t recognise them afterwards. They demanded the keys to the safe,” Lawrence told the newspaper soon after the robbery.
He proceeded to hand them the keys, but they insisted that they knew there were three safes in the building. They mentioned that an employee had specifically told them that. “I had one hell of a time convincing them otherwise. As far as the employee goes, I think it might be someone who had previously worked for us,” said Lawrence.
The robbers took every cent out of the safe, which must have been close on R15 000, as well as cellphones, bank cards and whatever else they could lay their hands on.
“The phone started to ring then and they must have thought it was Hi-Tech. They left as quickly as they’d arrived, in a green Venture. The whole episode lasted roughly 15 minutes. Apart from not resisting them and giving my cooperation, that call must have been one of the things that made them leave and most probably saved my life,” he told us.
Lawrence proceeded to alert Hi-Tech who immediately dispatched officers to Pappas.
In another office, that of Barberton Times, the newspapers rep, Karin Potgieter, complained to this reporter that she couldn’t get hold of Lawrence at Pappas but he had told her on Friday to phone him on Monday morning. The phone went unanswered. This reporter told Karin that it might be a little early, but she should try again. Minutes later, when she did dial again, the number was engaged. This was probably the call that the thieves thought was from Hi-Tech.
A short while later, the call from Sakkie Dednam came through, informing the office of the armed robbery.
By the time Barberton Times arrived, Hi-Tech had already withdrawn, but the SAPD were still present. An understandably traumatised Lawrence was nursing a whisky at a table on the verandah while his wife, Elsabé never left his side for long.
“This ordeal was totally unexpected, and they must have watched me for some time. Also, it was a very busy weekend, not only because of payday, but there was a lot happening in town. The only advice I can give other business owners who keep cash on their premises, is to be observant, especially during the busy times. Should something like this happen to you, do not resist. You are powerless, because trying to fight against five men, three of whom are armed, will be pointless and will end in bloodshed. Give your full cooperation. Your life is worth more than all the money in the world,” he concluded.
Hi-Tech’s Sakkie Dednam cautioned Barbertonians who do not yet have an alarm, to make a plan. “What Lawrence did was the best route to follow in any such situation. Christmas is drawing near and although it is the season to be jolly, we should, all of us, become more vigilant. Report any suspicious vehicles or characters to our control room so that we can investigate.”
Hi-Tech can be reached on 013-712-5773.
