A Chatsworth man, who was arrested after he allegedly robbed a woman he met online while on their first date, was granted R1 000 bail in the Verulam Magistrate's Court.
Salim Ismail, 54, of Monford, was charged with theft after he allegedly robbed a 66-year-old woman of her handbag, which contained R2 000 and other belongings.
At the time, Prem Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said officers were called out to assist a stranded woman at a service station in Verulam on February 5.
He said the woman who resides in Isipingo told the officers she had been chatting to Ismail for three months after matching on the online dating site, Badoo, and that they met for the first time that day.
“She said after they exchanged telephone numbers, their conversation continued on WhatsApp. The woman alleged that during their conversation on Tuesday night (February 4), she informed him that she needed to withdraw the old age grant for her and her 84-year-old mother. He offered to transport her to an ATM prior to them going on their first date.”
Balram said it is alleged that Ismail picked up the woman from near her home and took her to withdraw both grants at a mall in Amanzimtoti.
“She alleged that once they were done, he suggested they proceed to Hazelmere Dam to relax. Upon arrival, they spent three hours at the recreational facility. They thereafter decided to purchase a meal and travelled to a service station. The woman informed him that she needed to utilise the ablution facility to freshen up before having her meal."
Balram said the woman alleged that Ismail informed her that he would park the vehicle, but he drove off once she jumped out and walked towards the toilets.
“Her handbag containing R2 000 cash, her mother’s identity document, ATM cards and a cellphone was in the car. The handbag was later recovered near a casino.”
Balram said after viewing CCTV footage and conducting an investigation, officers began searching for Ismail, who was arrested at his home on February 6.
“After a brief observation, officers approached a 74-year-old woman who pointed out her son as the perpetrator. He was located in his bedroom and arrested. When interviewed, he informed officers that he had seen an opportunity to flee with her belongings when the woman had got off his vehicle to freshen up.
“He claimed that he decided to speed off when the woman had become demanding for financial assistance. He said he was further infuriated when she questioned him regarding the use of a sex enhancement tablet,” he said.
Balram said Ismail allegedly informed the officers that after he fled, he went to a casino and lost R1 600 at the slot machines and used R400 to buy engine oil for his vehicle.