Women, aged 51 and 56, were detained after an incident at a Gqeberha cash and carry in which a child was snatched while the parents were shopping.
THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a warning to parents to be vigilant when out with their children after a one-year-old girl was snatched from a trolley at a store in Cleary Park in Gqeberha on Monday.
Police said a shopping trip with children can be overwhelming.
“Within the blink of an eye, it is possible for children to get lost or taken by a stranger. Be vigilant and always keep an eye on your children,” warned the police.
This warning comes after the one-year-old girl was snatched from a trolley at a cash and carry store on Monday.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Pricilla Naidu said that on Monday at about 2pm the parents, aged 23 and 28, were shopping in the store with the child seated in the trolley.
Naidu said while they were busy at the fridges, with their backs turned to the trolley, a woman allegedly walked up to the child, touched her and then walked away.
“Within seconds, another female snatched the child and walked away,” she said.
According to police, when the father turned around and noticed the child was gone, he ran to the security at the door.
“As the security guard was about to close the doors, the first woman pointed out to the father that the child was with the second suspect. The women indicated that they were just joking with the parents,” she said.
Naidu said the suspects and the complainant do not know each other.
She said the security guards at the store kept the suspects and the complainant at the store until the police arrived and took them to the police station where a case of kidnapping was opened.
“The women, aged 51 and 56 years, are detained,” said Naidu.
Police said the investigation continues.
Here are some #sapsHINTs on child safety in public:
- You must always be able to see your child and they must always be able to see you.
- Dress children in brightly coloured clothes to make them easy to spot.
- Do not leave your children alone at video arcades, movie theatres, play areas or other public spaces
THE MERCURY
