Robbery victims allege children used in thievery plans

Parked vehicles inside a busy Suva shopping area are being targeted by groups which are using children, according to people who have fallen victim.

The children who are seen begging or selling items allegedly walk around the parking lots at Damodar City and Sports City checking if doors are locked. Atnish Chand of Samabula said he caught a boy who would have been around 12 years old trying to open his car.

“I was walking around the shopping mall and could see my car. This boy checked the doors on all sides. I came rushing to him. He saw me approaching and he started to run away. I think they must be doing it to all cars,” he said. Kavishek Karan was in Damodar City on January 4, 2021. He claimed that at around 9pm he discovered his rear passenger door window smashed and some of his items taken from the car.

He said he called the Police and was informed that it would be hard to catch the people responsible because the surveillance cameras at the shopping mall were not working.

“My bag was stolen. It had two phones, a phone charger, my text book which was around $400, my keys, my bachelor’s degree which will cost around $200 if I have to get it printed again and note books,” Mr Karan said.

Leone Waqa of Laucala Bay said it was a private property and perhaps the owners needed to have a relook at their security situation.

Police chief operations officer Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Khan said Police are urging members of the public to exercise safety measures.

He said car doors have to be locked and if people are carrying valuables in their vehicles, then they have to ensure that they do leave it in a visible position.