Snatch and catch: Two purse skelms who targeted ouma at mall arrested
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Two women snatch Ravensmead pensioner’s wallet out of bag. Picture supplied
A Ravensmead pensioner was left penniless and without food to feed her family after two skelme women pickpocketed her at Parow Centre.
The 62-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, says the duo targeted her when she went to withdraw money last week.
“On 25 October, I went to the mall to withdraw a R1000 that someone had sent me because I was sukkeling. When I got home, I realised my purse had been stolen and the money was gone,” the granny says.
The distraught ouma returned to the shopping centre where the matter was investigated by security manager, Ronald Pillai.
Pillai, of Grinnell Security Services, says the incident happened shortly before 5pm and when he checked the CCTV cameras, he noticed three coloured females following the ouma from Wimpy.
“When they got near the entrance of Cash Crusaders, the one suspect with the white top and black pants removed the wallet and concealed it under her black jacket and all three suspects then left the centre and walked together towards entrance 4,” he explains.
He says the ouma opened a criminal case but he got a skrik when the brazen skelms returned on Sunday and pickpocketed another unsuspecting shopper.
“The victim pointed out the two suspects and explained that she had been pickpocketed inside the lift at Checkers,” says Pillai.
“A female security guard searched them and found R2400 in their possession and they were immediately arrested.
“On further investigation, we found that the woman who was wearing pink was involved in the earlier incident involving an elderly lady and the police were informed. They were arrested and will appear in Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, the ouma says she got another shock when she learnt that the skelms also tapped her bank account and stole R4000.
“There was a R4000 on my bank card which they tapped on three different occasions and I had to rush to stop my cards,” she says.
“That money was to pay for my bond this month and now I have to go into arrangements with the bank and will sukkel right through Christmas because I will go into arrears.
“The R1000 that was sent to me was meant for food for my children and grandchildren. I could not even vote because they stole my ID.
“I am glad they are caught but I really want to ask how they can do this to people and cause all this stress and anxiety and leave people without food?”
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed a case of fraud is under investigation by Parow police.