Residents of Parkhurst shared warnings to each other of a developing trend where criminals target people at restaurants and bars.
Apparently, there is a group of men who are stealing phones right off tables and then fleeing in a car.
It appears the trend is prevalent on 4th Street in Parkhurst. An interim police spokesperson at Parkview Police Station, Lieutenant Colonel Lesetja Ledwaba confirmed that one case had been reported related to 4th Street.
According to Ledwaba, the victim was leaving a restaurant at around 1.30am on 1 January. “Victim alleged that he was about to open his car when someone came towards him and said ‘Happy New Year’. The victim, however, felt something rub against his trousers and on getting into the car realised his phone was missing.”
The suspect who had greeted him had gone into a car which immediately drove off with three more suspects inside. The victim immediately called for help from the nearby security company who gave chase and managed to catch three of the suspects while the fourth one escaped. They were charged with common robbery.
Ledwaba said, “People tend to make phone calls to request for [app-based taxi services], or for whatever reasons outside restaurants. During the early hours and late hours of the day, that is not a good idea because criminals target them then.
“People should avoid doing that and rather make the calls inside where there are a lot more people or, better yet, make prior arrangements then put their valuables away.”
Details: Parkview Police Station 011 067 6000
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