On 25 July police confirmed to the Chronicle that a new crime modus operandi was being used at the intersections along William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road. Two Caxton staff members were themselves victims. Reporter Daniella Potter was robbed of her cellphone by three aggressive – yet apparently unarmed – assailants, while Kyle Marais was robbed of his wallet and phone at gunpoint. Both incidents occurred at the intersection of William Nicol Drive and Republic Road. It has been alleged that these crimes have been taking place on an almost daily basis.
On 30 July, Sandton police spokesperson Captain Kym Cloete said that a suspect had been arrested at the intersection of William Nicol Drive and Republic Road by undercover officers. She said that a woman was robbed by two men at that intersection. They forced her to hand over all of her personal belongings including her wallet, watch, ring and cellphone. The suspects were not armed.
Cloete said, “The incident happened shortly after she stopped at the red traffic lights. While waiting, she was approached by two male suspects who demanded her personal items. She was threatened with violence and she submitted herself. While in the act of robbing her, they were interrupted by two police officers who managed to arrest one suspect.”
Cloete said that the officers had been posted undercover at the intersection as it had been identified as a hot spot.
My husband was also a victim on William Nicol drive on his way home about two months ago, we read the article on the front page of Sandton Chronicle and realized that these two men were the exact two men that tried to rob my husband of his cellphone whilst sitting in traffic. My husband refused to give them his phone and actually got out of his car to chase after one of these men, what is amazing is that people sitting in traffic got annoyed and hooted as it disturbed the traffic. I think what my husband did was very brave but also could have ended differently but I don’t think these men will shoot someone in the middle of traffic and in broad day light. I think more people must start fighting back.