Gang targets wealthy moms

WEALTHY women who shop at malls in Johannesburg's affluent northern suburbs are being targeted by a slick gang who themselves drive luxury vehicles.

The gang, who drive BMW X5s, Volvos, Mercedes-Benz's and Jeeps, are not targeting their victims cars, but their jewellery.

Criminals are targeting mothers who shop at malls en route to picking their children up from school.

This week top school St Stithians College sent a security alert to parents warning them about the armed gang.

"Recently certain families within the Saints community have been targeted by the same criminal gang and hijacked on their arrival at home. We understand that this gang are following women, who appear affluent and drive large vehicles, from Hyde Park shopping centre."

"They follow them to all their destinations en route and then hijack them once they arrive home. One of the stops for these ladies has been St Stithians and therefore the perception has been created that the College is the common denominator," wrote college rector Stephen Lowry.

He said the criminals drive a blue Jeep and that it was difficult for security to isolate the vehicle because it blends in with the vehicles parents drive.

Lowry added: "The number plates on the vehicle are continuously changed and normally there are between four and five occupants.

"If you are suspicious of the occupants of such a vehicle, please do not approach them. They are armed and dangerous and we need to avoid any type of incident on the campus."

College spokeswoman Megan van der Poll said: "We are issuing very specific stickers to parents to place on their vehicles, without which they will not be allowed into the school. The safety of our learners is paramount."

She said in one of the robberies the criminals had only been interested in the woman's jewellery.

In June last year, The Times reported that Discovery Health CEO Adrian Gore had had his watch, jewellery and wallet stolen by the "Rolex gang" outside his home.

In August, socialite Edith Venter's jewellery was stolen in a robbery at her home in Atholl, Johannesburg.

Gauteng police spokesman Eugene Opperman said: "While we don't have evidence that this 'Rolex gang' exists, shopping centres are not the only places where people are targeted.

"Robberies where jewellery is taken happens in the more affluent northern suburbs. These criminals are not stupid. In fact, they are very well dressed in expensive clothes, this is part and parcel of their strategy."