Denim gang takes off with Italian-brand jeans
Quick guard foils getaway and salvages R45 000
ADENIM jeans gang took 60 seconds to rob upmarket Chess International fashion store in East London of 43 pairs top-brand Italian trousers worth R90 000 on Monday.
But one of the three fashionfocused thugs was hunted down by a sprinting guard who tripped him, causing the thief to spill half the gang’s loot into Devereux Avenue.
The guard, faced with a dilemma, opted to protect the fallen Milanmade and designed Roberto Cavalli jeans, saving the store R45 000.
However, the gang still got away with jeans worth R45 000, said Ansunette du Preez, the assistant manager.
The gang, who police warned are dangerous, struck at 10.21am on Monday. In one minute they attacked the denim section and a minute later were running, arms laden with jeans costing R1 500 to R2 000 a pair, she said.
She said they did not go for other top brands like Levi, Rossini and Jugaad – only for jeans made in Milan.
Du Preez said: “They walked straight to our denim section with some of our most expensive imported brands and picked up piles of mostly Cavalli jeans.
“As they made a break for it our security guard started chasing them. He managed to trip one of them in Devereux Avenue, causing the guy to drop all the jeans he was carrying,” said Du Preez.
“This allowed the guard to recover about 27 pairs of jeans left lying in the street, so the thieves got away with just 26 pairs,” she said.
SAPS Cambridge spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said: “The suspects are three young men in their 20s or 30s.
“While they did not produce any firearms it is believed they were armed because they threatened to start shooting if anybody screamed. They stole high-end designer clothing with a value of about R45 000. There were no injuries,” said Mbi.
“The suspects fled on foot.
“We don’t have any leads right now but we are reviewing the footage from the store’s security cameras,” he said.
“We recommend that businesses take precautions and have tight security.”
Mbi appealed to witnesses of the robbery or any members of the community with useful information to contact the Cambridge police station or the Crime Stop hotline if they wish to remain anonymous.
“If anyone identifies the suspects do not approach them. They might be confrontational and very dangerous. Rather inform the police right away,” he cautioned.
The Cambridge police station can be contacted on 043-709-7500 and Crime Stop can be reached at 08600 10111.