Missing reseller employee highlights need for more security

The disappearance of reseller staff member, Juan Zhang highlights the concerns employees should have about physical security when handling cash on company premises.

Juan Zhang, an employee of Melbourne based Computers and Parts Land (CPL), was last seen on 18 May leaving her workplace, in Dudley Street, West Melbourne, carrying a large quantity of money. Police would not confirm whether this cash was part of the company's takings.

CPL was a customer of Altech and Zhang, a purchasing manager at CPL, worked closely with Altech’s Melbourne office.

Kevin Hartin, national sales manager Altech, said although he didn’t work with her, he knew she wasn’t based in CPL’s head office.

“They have a number of offices around the suburbs and I do believe it's her job to go from branch to branch collecting the office’s takings,” he said.

“I think this really highlights the basic safeguards of staff from any organisation. Physical security is upmost, prior to this Altech endured an armed hold up in the Brisbane office almost six years ago. We have had to change our security.”

Altech's Victorian based sales manager, Adrian Blong, was a close friend of Zhang and described her as having a good sense of humour and said the news of her disappearance was devastating.

At the crime scene, Police discovered a large amount of blood at the rear of the premises and believe that a person had lost an amount of blood that would render them unable to leave the premises unaided.

Zhang, a 35-year-old Blackburn woman, was described as having a small build and dark hair. She was of Asian appearance and was wearing a black business suit at the time of her dissapearance.

Her 1997 Seat Cordoba, with registration number OGX 939, is charcoal in colour, not silver as previously reported to investigators, was still missing. Although her friends did receive a message from her mobile, the police suspect wasn’t sent from the Zhang.

Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.