Police warn of house robbery surge

The Crystal Park SAPS urges residents to keep their doors and security gates locked at all times following a surge in house robberies over the past two weeks, one claiming the life of a man in his 50s.

According to station commander Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Mahlangu, most of the recent incidents showed no signs of forced entry.

Instead, criminals seized opportunities when they found doors or burglar gates left open.

While he declined to provide exact statistics, stating that only the Minister of Police can release official crime figures, Mahlangu confirmed an increase in house robberies in sectors one and four, particularly in Crystal Park and Fairleads.

“From our records, the robberies typically occurred between 18:00 and 22:00, with elderly residents the most frequent victims.”

Mahlangu said in one incident, a Fairleads man in his 50s was shot and killed shortly after 19:00 when he went outside to investigate a noise.

The criminals reportedly entered the home afterwards, where they robbed his family of valuables. Police and security officers recovered most of the stolen items, including the victim’s vehicle, later that evening in a nearby veld.

He indicated that previously, sector two, which includes Chief Luthuli, was a hotspot for murders, robberies and hijackings.

“Deploying additional police resources and working closely with the community helped reduce crime in this area. I believe criminals have now shifted their focus to other sectors.”

To prevent further incidents, Mahlangu advised residents not to go outside when they hear noises but to call the police or their security company instead.

“The police have since increased patrols in the affected areas and are working with private security companies.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that a particular gang with the same modus operandi may be behind these robberies. We haven’t lost the fight against crime and are following leads to arrest the suspects,” said Mahlangu.

He urged the public to avoid posting unverified information on social media and to work with law enforcement in tackling crime.
Residents can contact the CSC office on 011 969 4880, 082 332 3452, or 071 675 6757 (sector number for all sectors) for assistance.

Crystal Park CPF
Paul Raley, the chairperson of the Crystal Park CPF, has been instrumental in informing residents of Crystal Park and the surrounding areas about recent criminal activities. He said six incidents had happened in the area over the past few weeks.

He said crime in SA had become an emergency, a national problem that requires government intervention.

Raley added that while local security companies and CPF structures are doing everything in their power to fight crime, the police lack sufficient resources.

He urged community members to join their neighbourhood watch and CPF so they can actively look out for one another.

“Where possible, ensure you have security measures in place, such as intruder detection systems, security doors, burglar bars and armed response. Always remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour. At night, be especially alert and cautious; do not let criminals lure you outside.

“Keep dogs indoors as a deterrent, and pay attention when they alert you. If you own a firearm, make sure you know how to use it and keep it readily accessible in case you need to protect yourself and your loved ones. Also, ensure you are familiar with the legislation on using a firearm in self-defence,” said Raley.

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