Businesses have been warned to be vigilant and not to fall for what appears to be a new modus operandi employed by armed business burglars during a robbery in Sherwood at the weekend.
Blue security community and media liaison officer Andreas Mathios said a brazen gang of armed robbers held up staff at a business premises in Sherwood and robbed them of cellphones, a firearm and other valuables in broad daylight on Saturday morning. A mystery fire also broke out on the premises at the time of the robbery at around 9am.
“The suspects arrived at the main gate of the business premises in a black Corsa bakkie with the back windows boarded up. They advised security guards that they had arrived to collect goods from the business,” he said.
“The business burglars told security guards that they had been sent by a particular person to collect the goods and when the staff member on site confirmed to the guards that he knew someone by that name, they allowed the suspects to drive onto the premises,” he said.
Mathios said the suspects, three of whom appeared to be armed, then proceeded to a warehouse on site where they held up three staff members on site.
“Four business burglars, clad in balaclavas and gloves, held up three staff members at gunpoint and robbed them of their cellphones, vehicle keys and a firearm before tying them up. They also loaded other valuables from the warehouse into their vehicle and fled the scene. One of the staff members sustained an injury to his hand during the confrontation with the suspects but he declined medical treatment,” he said.
Mathios said when the staff members walked out of the warehouse after the incident they noticed that there was smoke coming out of the office area.
“eThekwini fire-fighters respond to the scene and managed to contain the blaze. It is unclear how the fire was started at this stage,” Mathios said.
Syndeham SAPS attended the scene of the crime.
Mathios urged business owners and staff to remember to always verify the identity of anyone wanting to gain entry onto the premises.
“If you know someone is arriving to see you or to pick up a delivery or to drop off someone ask the person to send you a text message or to to give you a call when they arrive. And if you have CCTV surveillance cameras installed near the entrance be sure to check the camera to verify who is asking for access before opening up,” Mathios said.”
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