A resident was left highly traumatised after four arrogant attackers tried to rob her inside Checkers in Westgate Shopping Centre this past Sunday (13 November).
The woman, who prefers to stay anonymous due to the trauma she suffered, was in the store at about 12.50pm when the incident took place. Being in a hurry she wanted to finish her shopping and when she made a final turn in the cool drink isle she noticed a man and woman with their trolleys approaching her from both her left and right side. Both were very well dressed, said the victim. Suddenly the two pushed their trolleys towards her, boxing her trolley in, and hitting her with the trolleys.
Another two females then rushed towards her, grabbed her handbag and started going through its contents, but she started to scream.The attackers remained calm throughout their attempted robbery. Despite her screams, no one came to the woman’s aid.
She then ran to the Lotto kiosk and told one of the security guards what had happened. They noticed one of the suspects casually walking out of the store but the security guard apprehended her. The accosted woman arrogantly wanted to know why she was being accused. Meanwhile the manager joined them and when he was told what had happened, he ran into the office where the CCTV footage was being recorded. He then gathered some staff members and showed them the footage, after which he instructed them to search for the suspects. Along with the centre’s security guards they managed to arrest another two robbers. The woman could positively identify them and they were handed over to the police.
The victim told the Record that the centre’s management, security and the staff at the supermarket were “amazing in the way they handled the situation”.
Fortunately nothing was taken from her handbag.
She was told that the robbers have been active there for the past three weeks.
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