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DistrictMail
Nuus News
20 Februarie, 2014
Ten business robberies in four months Ten armed robberies have taken place at businesses in the Strand and Somerset West CBDs since November last year. Three of the incidents involved liquor stores that were hit by armed robbers with a similar modus operandi. In each instance, the robbers made off with cash and “top-shelf” expensive liquor. The following ten armed robberies have been noted by DistrictMail since November 2013: Employees of Flameros Chicken Grill in Main Road, Strand, were held up by two armed men as they were closing shop at 23:45 on Friday 1 November 2013. OK Foods at the South Side Centre in Strand was targeted at 18:45 on Monday 4 November. Three men and one woman were involved in the robbery. A café at Little Greece in George Street, Strand was targeted by four armed men on Tuesday 5 November 2013. Staff members of KFC at the South Side Centre in Strand were held at gunpoint by three
armed men at 22:45 on Saturday 14 November. Strand Cash and Carry in Main Road was hit by burglars who entered the shop by smashing a hole in the wall during the early hours of Sunday 10 November. Diamonds Discount Liquor Store in Fagan Street, Strand, was also targeted by five armed men around 09:30 on Monday 9 December. Two armed men made off with an undisclosed amount of money during a robbery at Diamonds Liquor Store in Gants Centre at 17:45 on Thursday 16 January. The Liquor Clearing Depot (LCD) store in Caledon Street, Somerset West was robbed of about R50 000 in stock and cash by four armed men at 17:55 on Thursday 28 January. American Swiss Jewellers in Somerset West was robbed of R300 000’s worth of jewellery on 14 February. Two armed men entered the store at 13:10. La Grotto Pub in Somerset West was robbed by two men, one armed, at 10:15 on 17 February.
Bullets fly in cash-in-transit heist ILLANA FRANTZ In a very organised and swift manner, three robbers attacked the personnel of a cash-in-transit vehicle during a violent shoot-out and robbery at the Vergelegen Kwikspar on Monday. This armed robbery took place in the store’s parking lot at 11:30 when security guards from Protea Coin were collecting cash from the store, on the corner of Main and Schapenberg Roads. DistrictMail viewed the footage of the robbery, which revealed the level of sophistication at which the robbers operate. The Protea Coin vehicle was parked at the entrance of the shop, while two men wearing blue overalls could be seen in the parking lot. One of the men stood at the entrance of the store, while the second man walked across the parking area to Tops @ Spar. When the security guards exited the store, the man at the entrance pulled out an AK 47 and demanded the cash. At the same time a white Mazda 323, which had been parked in the parking lot, approached and collided with the van. The driver of the Mazda jumped out. He and the second man disarmed the security personnel. Shots were fired. One caused the front left tyre of the security van to deflate, but no-one was injured. About 40 seconds later it was all over. The robbers grabbed the loot and ran from the parking lot to a white Toyota Camry parked nearby. The footage also revealed that one of the employees at Tops walked into the line of fire between the robbers and a
The scene at Vergelegen Kwikspar in Somerset West on Monday. Protea Coin guard, when he saw the guard lying down. He wanted to assist the man, thinking he was injured and unaware that a robbery was taking place. He was dubbed a local hero for risking his life, but the modest employee opted not to speak to the DistrictMail. When the DistrictMail arrived on the scene shortly after the incident on Monday, five bullet casings were seen lying in the parking area. They were clearly indicated as police evidence by trolleys lying on their side. Police tape barred access to the crime scene and shoppers had to remain outside while police and forensic experts were gathering evidence. The police’s investigation also re-
vealed that the Mazda was stolen in Kleinvlei last month. The owners of the Kwikspar, Davy Rainier and Jeanne-Paul Badenhorst, said they were in the store at the time of the incident. “We heard a loud crash and thought something fell over, but then we heard gun shots and knew something was up.” They thanked their customers for the phone calls and support when the shop was closed for four hours after the incident. The suspects fled in the direction of Lwandle with an undisclosed amount of cash, and are still at large. Anyone with information can phone Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Gants businesses Fraud suspect burgled out on bail
Three business burglaries were reported in the Gants Centre over the weekend. The Hyundai Dealership in Somerset West was burgled on Sunday 16 February at 19:10. An Acer computer monitor was stolen from the dealership. Police arrested a 22-year-old man for possession of stolen property. The suspect appeared in the Strand Magistrate’s court on Friday 18 February. On Sunday 16 February, a computer box and an LG computer monitor were stolen from Tiletopia in the Gants Centre. A docket for business burglary has been opened. No arrests have been made. A grinder was stolen from Helderberg Auto Engineering in Clarendon Street between 12 and 13 February. A docket of business burglary was opened.
Following a DistrictMail report about two Strand businesses being victims of fraud, a 21-year-old Gordon’s Bay woman was released on bail last Thursday after appearing in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on a charge of fraud. She is accused of having defrauded Janine’s Furniture in Strand of R8 100 by using fraudulent proof of payment documents. Constable Mbulelo Mafuna, spokesperson for the Strand police, confirmed that the woman has been released on bail. The suspect will appear in court again on 25 March.