Shoplifter eludes guards at mall
A fearless reaction from a shopper led to the capture of a man suspected of stealing a pair of pants in a retail shop in Montclair Mall on Saturday, 22 February.
Carmen Erasmus (28) intervened when a man walked away from the shop assistant who caught him with a pair of pants tucked away in the back of his pants. “I was standing at the queue waiting to pay for my items when I heard a commotion between the shop assistants and the man. She was telling him to own up to stealing the pants and the man was adamant he was going to pay for them. He started walking out the shop and when he was closer to me I grabbed him with my right hand and pushed him against a pillar,” recalls Carmen.
“He was kept in the change rooms while I ran to get help from security guards. After that I paid for my good s and left the shop. The following day I went to find out what happened and I was told he asked the security guards to go to the toilet and then he disappeared.”
Even though she was shaken after the incident, Carmen was proud of herself for taking action. She urges people to be aware of what is going on around them and to help if they are able to. It was not Carmen’s first time confronting an offender, as previously a robber came off second best after he tried to mug her. She fought back and the would be mugger left empty-handed.
After hearing that the man had evaded security, Carmen said: “I am disappointed with the security because that was one less thief who would have stolen have an innocent person.”
Montclair CPF chairman, Gavin Hegter said: “The centre needs to take full responsibility as it was their security guards who were involved. It was their security guards who let the man go and that is unacceptable. The guards should be charged as it is aiding and abetting a criminal.”
Kelly Carmichael, speaking on behalf of Montclair Mall, said: “The store in question apprehended a suspect with its internal security and called for the assistance of centre security. Before police could arrive, the man unfortunately managed to break free from all security forces and escaped custody. Montclair Mall is vigilant towards appropriate security measures being employed and is an energetic participant in the necessary community forums that support and work alongside the SAP.”
Montclair SAP were not available for comment about their response, as it is alleged initial attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.
– mbalim@dbn.caxton.co.za
