New crime trend uses ‘friends’ tactic to steal valuables
The suspects often operate as a team and pretend to be your friend by acting boisterously and hugging you while searching for your valuables to pickpocket.
A GREENWOOD Park CPF member has urged the public to be aware of a group of thieves who are mugging their victims by pretending to be their friends.
Belinda Hellerle said the suspects often operate as a team and pretend to be your friend by acting boisterously and hugging you while searching for your valuables to pickpocket.
Hellerle said the suspects involved in the scam jab or play-punch their victims before hugging them in an over-familiar manner, all the while feeling for valuables such as cellphones, wallets and cash.
She recently helped foil the attempted theft of a cellphone.
Related article: Pick pocketer targets man in Sunningdale
The incident unfolded in a fast-food outlet in Durban North where Hellerle and another member of the Greenwood Park CPF were almost victims.
“There are two other incidents I’m aware of. I knew something was up when I spotted the first man, who is quite tall and wide – CCTV footage of him pickpocketing another member of the public had been shared on social media platforms, and I immediately copped on that he was going to try to steal from us. He walked up to me and jabbed my arm a few times and said, ‘Hey, Granny, you go to gym; you are very strong’.
“I responded by asking him to respect my space, and I said, ‘You shouldn’t be touching me.’ That didn’t deter him as he saw I had no belongings on me. He moved on to my fellow CPF member. He performed the same routine, and I watched him take the phone out of his pocket. I immediately clung to him, and I told the CPF member the suspect had his phone. We scuffled for a bit, and he just laughed it off, unphased by everything. At one point, he punched me in the stomach to get me to release my grip, but I wouldn’t budge. We managed to wrestle the stolen phone back, and he and his accomplices fled in a getaway car,” she said.
Hellerle said she hoped other residents would be aware of the suspects operating this scam and avoid any physical contact with people who pretend to be friendly or know them.
Also read: Footage leads to arrest in Sunningdale
Her warning comes after Blue Security also issued a statement on the new crime trend.
Clive Samuels, regional director at Blue Security, said the modus operandi sees the suspects target popular and busy garage convenience stores and fast-food outlets.
“The men come across as ‘playful old friends’, punching or patting the victim’s arm or stomach and greeting them with a handshake or hug. They work together, so while one suspect distracts you, another could bump you, and within seconds, they have pickpocketed victims’ cellphones and/or wallets. When the victim realises what has happened, the suspects have fled the scene,” he said.
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