A taxi driver who was targeting school children and robbing them of their cellphones, has appeared in court on two charges of robbery.
The 26-year-old driver and a male accomplice would stop young girls who were walking next to the road. The accomplice would then get out of the taxi and aggressively confront the victims and take their cellphones.
The first reported incident occurred on 16 September at about 11:30. Two girls were walking to the library in Reitz Street, Doorn, when a white Toyota Tazz with two African males passed them.
“The vehicle reversed and the man who was a passenger alighted out of the vehicle, ran towards them, and grabbed one of the girls by her hair extensions. He demanded her cellphone, a Premio X82 worth R1 300. He then climbed back into the vehicle and they drove off,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
In a separate incident on 16 October, a teenage girl was walking to school in Angus Street, Bedelia, when a white Toyota Tazz with two male occupants stopped in front of her.
The passenger alighted from the vehicle and greeted her. “The man demanded the cellphone. He grabbed her shoulder and took her cellphone, a Samsung Galaxy J2 worth R1 300. The assailant then jumped back inside the vehicle and drove off,” says Thakeng.
Two cases of robbery were registered for further investigation and were assigned to Det. Sgt. Pitso Matsie of Welkom Serious and Violent Crimes. “He worked around the clock, following every lead until the suspect, Tshepo Baloyi, was arrested, charged for robbery and appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on 28 October. The case was postponed until 11 November for the formal bail application.
Thakeng says the community, especially school children, are warned to be vigilant as the festive season approaches.
“People should walk in numbers and report any suspicious people or vehicles to the police. Registration numbers, description of the vehicle, occupants and their clothes are vital and could assist in tracing these suspects,” he says.
Matsie has been commended for a sterling job. “It is a breakthrough to arrest this suspect and a thorough investigation will be conducted to check whether he can be linked with similar cases where a Toyota Tazz was used to commit sundry crimes,” says Thakeng.
