Business robberies spike in Bethal
A few weeks later, Pep store was again a target, whereby the same modus operandi was used.
BETHAL – Three business robberies were reported in October with one business being targeted twice in a matter of weeks in Bethal CBD.
In the first incident, four robbers hit Pep Store.
The police report states that one of the suspects pointed a firearm at store employees and demanded money.
The suspects could not access the money from the safe but took the store employees’ cellphones and raided sweets from shelves to the value of R35 000.
The employees were ordered into an office and the suspects fled the scene.
A few days later while the police were still investigating the business robbery, Russells the furniture shop, was targeted and robbed at gunpoint.
It is alleged that three suspects entered the store. One of the suspects forced the store manager to a storeroom where she found other employees.
While one of the suspects was keeping an eye on the employees, the others stole electrical appliances such as televisions, laptops and sound bars, as well as cellphones and cash.
ALSO READ: AfriForum se Mpumalanga-buurwagte hou massapatrollie
The estimated value of the stolen property is R25 500.
A few weeks later, Pep Store was again a target and the same modus operandi was used.
Store employees who were robbed previously were once again held up at gunpoint by one suspect who then forced everyone to a back office and demanded money and cellphones.
During the robbery, three more suspects entered the shop while there were customers inside.
The suspects instructed everyone to lie down and not make noise.
They took cellphones to the value of R80 000 and R15 000 in cash before fleeing the scene.
Police encourage all local businesses to make use of the local security service providers for quicker response when there is something strange happening in the stores.
Business owners are encouraged to install panic-alarm systems, do hourly banking to reduce the amount of cash in tills and have dummy cellphones on display.
They can contact Bethal police on 060 802 2876 to report any suspicious persons or criminal activity.
