July 27, 2004, 17:45
Police in Durban have launched a hunt against a gang of large women thieves who raid stores, threatening staff with knives, and steal mostly small size clothing. "When they enter the store they do so in a large group and they intimidate the staff," Michael Read, a police spokesperson, said.
Police, however, believe they have arrested most of the gang of 10 to 15 women. "They're quite large people," Read added.
He dismissed media reports that some of the gang had been part of the "A-Team", a similar group of plus-size women criminals who operated in Durban a couple of years ago before they too were rounded up by police. He said many of the latest gang had been incriminated after being caught on in-store closed circuit TV.
Read said they stole a range of merchandise from Durban department stores, including perfume and clothes, and appeared to be stealing for resale by street hawkers rather than for personal use.
"Generally it's the smaller sizes than what they would wear themselves," he said. - Reuters
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