Actor witnesses gunpoint smash-and-grab

Two months ago Marais’s cellphone was stolen by the smash-and-grab tactic where robbers threaten motorists at gunpoint for valuable items in cars, instead of smashing windows and taking whatever is in sight.

Last week Marais drove right into a similar situation, at the Main Road and William Nicol Drive intersection just after peak-hour traffic.

Marais said this time the two robbers told him they were going to shoot him unless he handed over his wallet and cellphone.

“I said I didn’t have a cellphone on me, when they continued threatening me,” he said.

“Last time I thought the guy didn’t have a gun, and he did – so this time I didn’t take any chances. I explained that I didn’t have any valuables in the car.”

Luckily for Marais a witness behind him saw what happened, which helped him to get away.

Soap star Emmanuel Castis and his friend Kim Hatchel were behind Marais.

They indicated to him to pull over after the failed robbery attempt. Castis said, “It’s unfortunate that crime is part of our lives, and we need to be vigilant.”

According to Castis, Marais’s robbers came out of nowhere, and he was unsure of what to do while the robbery was in progress.

“But we cannot just sit and not do anything, we need to stick together to fight crime,” the actor said.

Castis also took to social media to warn the public on what he witnessed, asking fellow motorists to be cautious on the roads.

Captain Kym Cloete of Sandton Police Station said the attempted robbery was an isolated incident, and police have been successful in cracking down on smash-and-grab robberies.

“These crimes have calmed down and there weren’t many reports on it the previous two weeks.”

Motorists are reminded to be cautious during peak-hour traffic when these crimes appear to be prevalent.

Cloete previously warned that victims were targeted because their windows were open.