Parkview Police Station Commander Colonel Theledi Gopane appealed to the community to assist in finding the suspects who committed business robberies at a Dunkeld West shopping complex and in Westcliff on 8 May.
A spokesperson for the Parkview Police Station Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said, “It is alleged that three unknown men robbed a jewellery store at a shopping complex in Dunkeld West at about 10.50am [on 8 May].”
Sibeko said it was alleged that one of the suspects was standing outside the jewellery store pretending to be a customer waiting for the access-controlled door to be opened. As soon as the door was opened, two other men followed him inside the shop.
“It is alleged that one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and instructed the entire staff to go to the back of the shop. The two suspects started to break open display units, removing jewellery from the inside. They also took cash and other jewellery inside the safe.”
The jewellery that was stolen had an estimated value of R1 million. Sibeko said the suspects left the shop without injuring anyone and no shots were fired.
After the business robbery, it is alleged that suspects matching the same description approached a 40-year-old woman who was leaving the shopping centre.
“On Bompas Road they hijacked her white Mercedes Benz A-Class. Later the vehicle was found abandoned at Old Pretoria Road in Wynberg with the victim’s cell phone still inside the car.”
On the same day at about 6pm, a security officer on duty at a business in The Valley Road in Westcliff noticed a grey Hyundai H1 at the gate. When he went closer to the gate, the passenger in the front opened the window and pointed a firearm at the guard before ordering him to open the gate.
“They went inside the building and forcefully opened doors to take electronic appliances valued at R56 000.”
Sibeko said after taking the appliances, the suspects drove away with the security officer and he was dropped off on Jan Smuts Avenue. The suspects then fled in the Hyundai H1.
Sibeko said police were investigating the business robberies and hijacking incidents.
No arrests have been made and police appeal to the public to assist with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
“All information is confidential and callers have the right to remain anonymous. Anyone with information may contact Parkview police on 011 067 6000 or Crime Stop on 086 001 0111. The My SAPS app may also be used to send information to police,” said Sibeko.
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