A gang of brazen criminals decided to go on an early morning Christmas shopping spree at Canal Walk Shopping Centre, where they pilfered IT equipment valued in the thousands from the Gomaxx. store near Entrance 6.
Specialising in pre-owned Apple products, the targeted store had its door forcibly breached before they looted about 16 Apple MacBooks from the glass displays.
Also read: Police ask for help finding three men linked to LEAP officer’s murder
A reliable source revealed to IOL that the criminals entered the shopping centre on Wednesday, shortly after 5am, executed their heist, and left the mall in under six minutes.
The source detailed that the four arrived in a white Toyota Quantum taxi, and surveillance footage depicted the driver seamlessly passing through the Entrance 6 boom gate.
After obtaining a parking ticket, the vehicle parks near the entrance, and four individuals exit the vehicle and proceed to the entrance of Canal Walk.
The absence of on-site security allowed the thieves a swift entry into the IT store, where they swiped laptops and stashed them into bags before making a run for it.
The entire incident lasted a brief six minutes, allowing the thieves to depart without the need to pay for the parking ticket.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the incident and added that no arrests have been made in connection with the business burglary reported at approximately 5:25am.
Vanessa Herbst, spokesperson for Canal Walk, said the centre is aware of the robbery and that an investigation is in process.
‘We are aware of the incident. The front door of the store was damaged. It was before trading hours and there were no injuries. We are still busy with the investigation.’
Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said that the recent spate of business robberies is concerning and indicates that criminals are directly targeting businesses as they seem to regard them as easy prey.
‘As a provincial government, we have actively engaged Business Against Crime, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and various other entities to address matters relating to extortion, burglaries and other related crimes.’
MEC Allen stressed the devastating effect that crime has on businesses, the creation of job opportunities and people’s general livelihoods.
‘I urge businesses to take the necessary steps to safeguard themselves and to work closely with all law enforcement agencies, including SAPS so that these crimes can be prevented.’
Also read:
Two suspects arrested for allegedly trafficking children to Cape Town
Picture: Canal Walk Shopping Centre / Facebook