A 54-year-old man, who allegedly robbed a 66-year-old woman on their first date, made his first appearance in the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in KZN, said the man was charged with theft.
She said the case was remanded until next week for an identity parade and possible bail application.
The man was arrested after he allegedly fled with the woman's handbag.
He met her for the first time last Wednesday after matching on the online dating site, Badoo.
Prem Balram, the head of Rusa, said officers were called out to assist a stranded woman at a service station in Verulam last Wednesday.
He said the woman from Isipingo had told the officers she had been chatting to the man for three months and they met for the first time that day.
During their conversation on Tuesday night, she told him she needed to withdraw the old age grant for her and her 84-year-old mother. He then offered to transport her to an ATM prior to them going on their first date.
He said the man then 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.