A Greenside resident fell victim to theft while shopping at The Parks Shopping Centre in Parkwood on 17 January.
Read Police warn of new crime trend
Dad Jackson was visiting the centre at about 5.45pm on the day to do his usual weekly shopping. He parked his vehicle in the customers’ parking area, adjacent to the centre, on Jan Smuts Avenue and proceeded to Woolworths.
“On this occasion my car was broken into,” said Jackson.
“From the boot, my briefcase, containing my laptop, surgical glasses, sunglasses, iPad, and iPod as well as my gym equipment including a camera, was stolen.”
A distraught Jackson said it was possible the theft was orchestrated by the car guards who were on duty or, if not, with their cooperation. In a letter addressed to the shopping centre, he suggests that car guards be removed from the parking area.
“As a regular Woolworths customer, I believe the centre needs to increase security, cover the parking with surveillance cameras and, if necessary, fence the parking area,” reads the letter.
“At least you should put up significant, visible signs warning your customers that this is a high crime area that is not under your control.”
Johann van der Westhuizen, the shopping centre’s owner, confirmed knowledge of the incident and said he was looking into the matter. “The parking area belongs to the City and we have no control over it,” explained Van der Westhuizen.
“There are car guards who work in the parking space but they are not employed by us.”
Rosebank Police Station’s sergeant Bongi Mdletshe, said the police will do everything necessary to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“We are going to use all the information provided to conduct a thorough investigation and [put] the suspects behind bars.
Details: Rosebank Police Station 011 778 4700.
