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Cape Town - Criminals have struck Canal Walk in Cape Town and made off with iPhones and iPads worth an estimated R1m.
The thieves struck the iStore before the mall closed on Wednesday night and made off with Apple gadgets, despite mall security and surveillance.
Drama ensued when the suspects tried to make their getaway. A customer was hit and taken to hospital for observation.
"As the suspects fled the scene, the centre’s response vehicle tried to apprehend them outside the centre. The suspects collided with the response vehicle and fired shots at the vehicle hitting the security personnel in the leg before exiting the parking area," said a statement from the mall management.
Local Apple distributor Core Group said that it would focus on increasing security in shopping malls.
"The safety of our staff and customers is our number one priority, and we are engaging with all of the malls to ensure tighter security measures are put in place," Core Group executive communications executive Taryn Hyam told Fin24.
There have been a number of iStore robberies in Gauteng and it is unclear whether the latest is the work of a single gang.
If the robberies persist, it could also impact on business at the malls as people may fear for their safety.
Some Twitter users expressed their concerns for safety in view of the criminal threat.
Given that high tech stores operate in shopping malls, there is a fear that the crimes could spread to more retailers.
"This is a challenge that the cellular stores have had to manage for some time, as well as other retail stores selling electronic goods," Hyam said.
Canal Walk management said that they were focused on ensuring that the mall remained safe for shoppers.
"We assure all of our customers that we take our zero tolerance stance against crime very seriously. This is a priority considering the reality of the times we live in and we will continue to look at ways to combat such incidents in the future," said Gavin Wood, CEO of Canal Walk.
The thieves struck the iStore before the mall closed on Wednesday night and made off with Apple gadgets, despite mall security and surveillance.
Drama ensued when the suspects tried to make their getaway. A customer was hit and taken to hospital for observation.
"As the suspects fled the scene, the centre’s response vehicle tried to apprehend them outside the centre. The suspects collided with the response vehicle and fired shots at the vehicle hitting the security personnel in the leg before exiting the parking area," said a statement from the mall management.
Local Apple distributor Core Group said that it would focus on increasing security in shopping malls.
"The safety of our staff and customers is our number one priority, and we are engaging with all of the malls to ensure tighter security measures are put in place," Core Group executive communications executive Taryn Hyam told Fin24.
There have been a number of iStore robberies in Gauteng and it is unclear whether the latest is the work of a single gang.
If the robberies persist, it could also impact on business at the malls as people may fear for their safety.
Some Twitter users expressed their concerns for safety in view of the criminal threat.
damn its dangerous shopping at istores #iStoreRobbery
— Khutšo ® (@khutso) October 9, 2014Getting braver & more brazen. Law & order fail @CrimeLineZA "@ewnreporter: #iStoreRobbery A customer was apparently assaulted. LI"
— Farah Osman (@FarahOsmanB) October 9, 2014Given that high tech stores operate in shopping malls, there is a fear that the crimes could spread to more retailers.
"This is a challenge that the cellular stores have had to manage for some time, as well as other retail stores selling electronic goods," Hyam said.
Canal Walk management said that they were focused on ensuring that the mall remained safe for shoppers.
"We assure all of our customers that we take our zero tolerance stance against crime very seriously. This is a priority considering the reality of the times we live in and we will continue to look at ways to combat such incidents in the future," said Gavin Wood, CEO of Canal Walk.
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