POLOKWANE – As the festive season approaches, residents are being warned to be vigilant and aware of crime syndicates plaguing the city.
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With Black Friday taking place tomorrow, local community crime groups are warning shoppers that criminals will be on the ‘go’ to pounce on unsuspecting shoppers.
Their modus operandi? Pretending to be shoppers, but their main aim is to steal your valuables (wallets, watches, cash, cellphones and most importantly, car keys), while shopping.
Target areas will include chain stores and retailers that will be participating in Black Friday.
Residents are also asked to avoid withdrawing big sums of money, especially in the CBD and downtown areas.
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A group of five to 10 men who operate in these areas, usually sitting in groups of three, target people who withdraw money and have been described as fearless, armed and they usually attack their prey in numbers.
ATM scammers are also operating around Thabo Mbeki Street, Landros Mare Street as well as Schoeman Street and are targeting people who use ATM’s during peak periods (17:00 onwards).
Their modus operandi is to have one person sitting in the driver’s seat of a car next to the ATM and two other men pretending to be withdrawing money.
Smash and grab incidents have been reported on Grobler Street, Joubert Street as well as Biccard Street, mostly in the afternoons from 14:00, onwards.
These happens mostly around intersections with high traffic congestion and motorists have been urged to keep their windows closed at all times.
All incidents of theft or any related crimes should be reported to the local police station immediately.
