Lightning does strike twice, it seems.
Just ask Ramdeen Ramcharan (66), who was again a victim to crime while in the central business district. In 2019, Mr Ramcharan and his wife Premilla (64) were attacked by robbers in a shopping centre parking area.
Mrs Ramcharan was left injured and the couple was in a state of constant fear after the incident.
READ MORE HERE: Horrific moment: Man attacks local couple in attempted bag snatching
Just as their confidence started to grow, they were again targeted by criminals.
Mr Ramcharan explained that on March 8 at about 17:15, the couple had finished up their shopping and decided to make a stop at a fast food outlet before heading home.
While parked in Harding Street, waiting for his wife to return from the takeaway shop, Mr Ramcharan noticed a truck park behind him and another vehicle park at his side.
Within seconds, the car’s back passenger doors were yanked open and the bags containing groceries were stolen.
“It happened so quickly. They watched, pounced and were gone. Even if I had a gun, I could not have done anything. Maybe it was my fault; I did not ensure that the doors were locked. They got me good; it’s just too bad,” Mr Ramcharan said philosophically.
He says there was no answer when he tried to contact the police, and trying to obtain CCTV footage proved to be a dead-end because the couple was told that the cameras were ‘not working’.
The pensioner decided not to open a case at the police station, labelling it as a long and tedious task which often doesn’t produce positive results.
He does, however, encourage locals to be vigilant; always keep an eye on your surroundings and be observant when it comes to people and vehicles.
“I think that criminals are wearing reflector jackets and posing as car guards. I noticed this before the robbery,” he warns.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan has issued some tips for the public in this regard. Whether your vehicle is stationary or moving, bear the following in mind:
1. Lock all your doors and windows. 2. Don’t have valuables visible in the vehicle. 3. Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious-looking characters. 4. Be wary of people standing at traffic lights and intersections. 5. When parking at night, make sure it is in a well-lit area.
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