BLUFF Towers management has moved to reassure patrons that their safety is a key priority after the mall was shut down on Sunday, 13 January when a business robbery was reported at the Tara Road mall.
Brighton Beach SAPS and SAPS task team closed off public access at Bluff Towers in an attempt to flush out business burglars who were said to be hiding in the ceiling.
READ: Bluff mall closed as police search for business burglars
It is alleged the criminals broke into one of the businesses in the mall through the roof, in the process damaging the mall’s sprinkler system. This resulted in flooding in part of the mall. The ceiling was damaged, with a section of it collapsing. The mall remained on lockdown until later that afternoon, when police concluded their on-site investigation.
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Management at Bluff Towers confirmed the burglary at the shopping centre in the early hours of Sunday at about 12.45am. Members of management, security staff and the police responded to an alarm and discovered the perpetrators had forcibly gained access to one of the stock rooms at the Edgars store. There were no injuries reported, however, an undisclosed number of items were stolen.
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A sprinkler pipe was damaged while police and security were trying to locate the intruders. “This resulted in part of the centre flooding. Unfortunately, attempts by security and SAPS to apprehend the burglars were unsuccessful. Further leads are being investigated, as the investigation continues,” said marketing manager Melissa Singh.
The resulting leak caused minimal damage to Edgars and adjoining shops, and emergency cleaning services along with six members of Jacobs Fire Station were called on-site to assist. The mall re-opened shortly thereafter.
“Security procedures are constantly monitored and improved. Following this unfortunate incident, we have increased security patrols in the mall after hours. The safety of our shoppers and our tenants is a priority,” said Singh. “We are working closely with the SAPS in order to identify and arrest the perpetrators. We are also working closely with Brighton Beach police station to increase patrols in the area surrounding the mall during the day and at night.”
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