UMHLANGA – As another business robbery strikes at an uMhlanga shopping center, security precaution becomes a priority for local business owners.
At 1 am on Wednesday, a gang of five armed suspects held a security guard up at knife point and broke the window of a telecommunications store in an uMhlanga shopping center. The robbers stole cellphones and R100 000 in cash before fleeing the scene in a Mercedes and a Polo. ” We have positive registration on both vehicles and are following leads,” said Captain Raymond Deokaran of the Durban North SAPS. ” A case of business robbery has been opened,” said Deokaran.
Another well-known store in the shopping center was robbed just 24 hours prior to this adding another strike to a ‘stealing spree’ that includes the Narandas Jewellry store which was was hit in June last year. And 10 similar robberies have reportedly taken place in uMhlanaga during the last four months, according to Marshall Security’s Kyle Van Reeneen. “We have noticed an increase in business robbery throughout the Durban area, not only restricted to uMhlanga,” said Van Reenen.
Some of the local businesses were robbed multiple times, making security precaution an apt addition to store fronts this year. “It’s all about being one step ahead,” said Van Reenen, “alert the security company of the stores opening and closing times as this is when businesses are at their most vulnerable.”