Bloemfontein – Free State police on Friday called on the public to assist in finding two suspects who have managed to evade arrest since July 2015 after they robbed an elderly woman of R24 000.
Police have released identikits and have warned residents to be on the alert for the suspects who had conned the 60-year-old victim, making off with her bank card and her money.
In July 2015, the victim was approached outside of the Standard Bank in Mooi Street, Welkom by a man who alleged he had just been robbed. The victim and the man were then approached by the two suspects who were dressed as police officers.
The suspects presented fake police identity cards, advised the elderly woman to leave with them as robbers were in the vicinity, and escorted her to their white vehicle. Meanwhile, the man who was allegedly robbed went his own way.
The two suspects then allegedly stole the victim’s bank card and managed to obtain her pin code. R24 000 was later stolen from the woman’s bank account.
She was later left on the opposite end of Welkom’s city centre and upon realising she had been robbed, the victim informed police anda case of theft was opened for investigation.
“Residents are advised to be extra careful when they are in the vicinity of the banks and must never allow any help from anyone,” said Free State police’s Molebogeng Lechesa.
Lechesa also advised women to shout for help when in danger and to ask others for help to call police if they did not have their own phone.
In regards to the search for the bogus police suspects, Lechesa said anyone with information could contact Detective Warrant Officer Neville Wessels on 057 391 6268 during office hours.
African News Agency