Cops, security nab shoplifters after chase
Women allegedly walk out with goods
Three suspected shoplifters and their getaway driver were arrested in the Rosehill Mall parking lot last Friday after being pursued all the way from Alexandria.
MultiSecurity armed response officer Ryan Giblin said he received a message on the emergency WhatsApp group at about 11.30am about a shoplifting incident at Sav-Mor in Alexandria.
Three women were picked up on the security cameras in-store taking big cans of coffee and not paying for them.
Police said the women had targeted Jacobs Kronung and Nescafe Gold, as well as Nan Pelorgan milk powder.
The women walked out of the store, ignoring an employee who tried to stop them. They got into a White Ford Focus and headed in the direction of Port Alfred.
“The owner of Sav-Mor started to give chase right outside of Alexandria,” Giblin said. “He put it on the emergency WhatsApp group that they required backup. He gave a description and registration of the vehicle and the direction of travel.”
Hi-Tec Security joined the Sav-Mor owner in pursuit.
Giblin also responded from the MultiSecurity office. He got word that the vehicle being pursued had turned into Rosehill Mall.
“When I got to Rosehill, the vehicle was already there with members of Hi-Tec, SAPS and Multi. It would appear that the suspects were three Zimbabwean women and they were taken into custody,” he said.
The women were arrested by Sergeant Sindy Pienaar.
“The owner of the car who said it was a taxi, was also taken into custody,” Giblin said.
On searching the vehicle, police found five containers of Jacobs Kronung coffee, two Nescafe Gold coffee and two cans of Nan Pelorgan milk formula.
“There were also bags from different chain stores, including Mr Price, Street Fever and Sheetstreet, and branded security tape from Mr Price which is normally used to seal packages at chain stores when clients enter with packages,” police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said.
While taking the car to the police station, Captain Jacques Barkhuizen realised the driver’s door was broken and received assistance from Clinton Millard of MultiSecurity to hold it secure with the seatbelt.
The three women pleaded guilty in the Alexandria Magistrate’s Court this week and were found guilty and each fined R1,000. The case against the driver was withdrawn.