A Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman has been left traumatised after being tied up and assaulted during an armed robbery on Albert Wessels Drive in the town’s industrial area.
Newcastle SAPS officials explained that on Thursday afternoon, 9 March 2023, just before 2 pm, the businesswoman and one of her employees were in the Albert Wessels Drive Store when a man approached the business premises’ gate with his white Toyota Hilux bakkie, saying that he wanted to come in and purchase some items.
“After the man parked his vehicle, he entered the shop and started to browse among the items. He did this for approximately 30 minutes before three other men entered the store,” said an official police source, who further explained that one of the men had a firearm in his possession.
Using the gun to intimidate the woman and her employee, the men tied them up, before the suspect with the gun assaulted the businesswoman.
He allegedly hit her with the firearm on her head, leaving an open wound, before assaulting her further. She was left with an open wound to her right cheek and upper lip, bruises on her left shoulder, and bruises on both her forearms.
“The suspects managed to get R4 500 petty cash, and then immediately took the victim to her bedroom demanding more cash,” said an official police source.
The men managed to obtain a further R50 000 in cash found in the woman’s wardrobe. Police officials pointed out that there were laptops and cellphones in the room that were visible to the suspects during this time, but these items were ignored and remained untouched.
“The suspects then placed a plastic bag over the woman’s head and left her and the employee tied up before fleeing the scene, with a total of R54 500 in cash,” said the police source.
After the men left the premises, the woman eventually managed to free herself and her employee before calling her son for help. She was then taken to a local medical facility for treatment.
Left traumatised by the event, the police said the woman only came to the police this week after her son convinced her to report the matter.
With Newcastle SAPS investigating the matter, if you have any information that can assist the police, you need to contact them immediately.
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