Graveyard robberies a concern
Police urged people to pay attention to their surroundings.
Police warn residents to be careful of criminals who use Odi graveyard as a hideout place. Picture: Pretoria North Rekord
Eight people were robbed by criminals using Odi cemetery in Mabopane as their hideout, reports the Pretoria North Rekord.
Police spokesperson Captain Samuel Sebola said the armed robberies took place in or near the graveyard and were reported to Loate Police Station.
“We are investigating a number of cases whereby people reported that they were robbed or had their cars broken into while visiting the graveyards near Odi Prison in Mabopane,” he said.
The culprits broke into cars and stole valuables such as handbags, cellphones, removed wheels and other property.
Police were following up on the information and were hoping to arrest the robbers soon.
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He said the search for the criminals was hampered by bushes and urged people to pay attention to their surroundings.
“People must be aware of where they park their cars.”
Sebola appealed to residents to come together to weed the graveyard.
“Criminals are robbing people who go to the cemetery to clean graves or to perform cultural rituals or other activities,” he said.
He said the criminals also targeted people passing the graveyards.
The criminals were believed to be operating between 1pm and 5pm.
– Caxton News Service
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