Ward Councillor involved in attempted robbery
PARKMORE - A councillor was involved in an attempted smash and grab in Parkmore.
Councillor for Ward 106 Stephen Moore said, “I was sitting in my car at traffic lights when a man came up to my car and stood right in front of the driver’s seat window. I usually support the people handing out pamphlets on the side of the road so I rolled down my window presuming he would be working.”
Moore added that the man said he had a gun and wanted his cellphone. “He had his hand in his pocket so he could have been pretending to have a gun, but I didn’t take a chance,” he said.
The man then reached into Moore’s car for his cellphone and car keys, but Moore grabbed him by his arms and screamed for help in an attempt to scare the culprit who eventually ran away.
Smash and grabs at traffic lights have become a significant issue in the Sandton and Fourways area. He said a great deal of the incidents occurred on Main Road just before the M1 highway. “Most of them come up to the side of your car and smash the passenger seat window with a spark plug and grab whatever they see.”
Spokesperson for the Sandton police, Captain Kym Cloete added that motorists should not leave anything in their car in clear view and should be aware of people approaching their car.
Moore said, “Though after this incident I would be less inclined to open my window for people on the side of the road, I do support the people on the side of road handing out flyers because we are supporting their job. But I urge residents to be more vigilant and aware. They must know who is coming towards their window and know what to do when a robbery occurs.”
