C LA RE M ONT/ROND E B OS C H
“ Te l lin g it a s it i s” E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Vandals
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
Get yours next week!
strike again ) Same modus operandi STEFNI HERBERT
A KENILWORTH establishment has fallen victim to the same vandalism as their neighbours. Vandals smashed a brick through the window of Coimbra Bakery, on the corner of Lansdowne and Belvedere roads. It adjoins St Elmo’s pizzeria. The pizza outlet suffered the same fate on a number of occasions (“Pizzeria windows smashed”, People’s Post, 17 May). Coimbra manager John Martins says: “These vandals had the same modus operandi as the vandals who smashed the windows next door.” There was no attempt to break into the store after the windows were smashed. One window was hit with such force that the brick – found in the middle of the store – penetrated the shatterproof glass. The incident took place in the early hours of the morning and it cost the shop over R9 000 to replace the glass. The cost for the branding is still unknown. Althought they have closed-circuit TV cameras, Martins says none of them are trained on the window. He hopes he will not have to think of drastic security measures to maintain the safety of the store’s windows. Lorinda van Nieuwenhuizen, who manages St Elmo’s, says: “Since the article appeared in the People’s Post we haven’t experienced the vandalism again, but now they seem to be targeting other stores with large windows.” Martins says it may be a trend
which is growing in Kenilworth and Claremont. Claremont police spokesperson Captain Angie Latchman says: “We are investigating the incidents, but we have not been able to link the incidents to one specific person or group. “No arrests have yet been made, but we are continuing to investigate the various events which have taken place up to now.” Coimbra, a bakery and deli speciality store, has been around since 1962. They will be celebrating 50 years in business. Martins has been there for over 20 years. “In the time I have been working at the store, this has never happened. I cannot understand why people would be doing this. They smash the window and that’s it, nothing gets stolen,” he exclaims in disbelief. Martins and Van Nieuwenhuizen believe this could be the work of young people who are on drugs, such as tik, and who have excessive amounts of energy and need some way to dispose of it. Martins says: “This is really boggling my mind. I don’t know of anyone who could have a personal vendetta against me. Even if there was someone, I don’t think they would do this.”
GET YOURS! People’s Post will be offering readers great deals on the Coupon Savings Project. Getting an early peek on those hot specials are reporter Summer Jacobs, centre, and advertising executives Michelle Poggenpoel, far left, and Sheryl Haupt. Story, page 2. Photo: Tauriq Hassen