Quantum ‘gang’ targets small businesses in Pretoria

South Africa

A Toyota Quantum gang has set its sights on smaller businesses that lack proper security measures, police warned this week.

According to police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach, the Tshwane Central Cluster has observed an increase in business robberies at fast-food outlets, spaza shops, and salons, reports Pretoria East Rekord.

The gang was reported to be travelling in a white Toyota Quantum robbing small stores, with a modus operandi of one man entered the store and pretending to be a customer. The others then follow and rob the store.

“They usually do not stop after the first robbery and will proceed to other areas on the same evening to commit more robberies.”

“It is suspected that taxi drivers are renting out Toyota Quantums after hours to this group to commit crimes.”

Their target has been businesses that trade from early hours and close late at night, making them an easy target.

In another incident last week Friday, a spaza shop was robbed  at 5am just after it opened for business. Two suspects entered the store and threatened two men with a firearm and a knife.

Weilbach said cigarettes, cell phones, and cash were taken, the one complainant was stabbed twice in the leg before the suspects fled in a grey Chevrolet Cherry.

On the same day at 11am, a second spaza shop was robbed of cigarettes, cash, and a cell cell phone this time in Villieria.

Three unknown men entered the store and threatened the complainant with a firearm before robbing him and fleeing in a white Fiat Palio.

Chicken and pizza fast-food outlets as well as hair salons are also targeted by the gang of four men.

Weilbach said the Tshwane Central SAPS would meet with spaza shop owners this month to advise them on how they could improve their security measures in an attempt to reduce the levels of crime.

“It will also be recommended to them that they must shorten their trading hours by opening up later and closing earlier.”

Additionally, she advised that business owners limit the amount of cash on the premises by doing regular banking.

 

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