Weekend crime round-up
An overview of crimes reported to Brakpan police from May 27 to 29.
The following crimes were reported to Brakpan police over the weekend:
Friday – A Station Road shop was robbed by a gang of men just after 19:00. Preparing to close for the day, the owner opened the door to let out a customer when three gunmen forced their way inside.
They instructed him to lead them to the office and demanded money. The trio was joined by six more men who held the remaining customers inside the shop at gunpoint.
The robbers fled with R50 000 in cash and also robbed the owner of his wallet, which contained his driver’s licence, bank cards, credit cards and other personal documents.
• A case of business robbery and attempted murder is under investigation after an employee at a Voortrekker Road roadhouse was shot in the leg during a robbery. The incident took place at about 23:15 as the man and his employer were preparing to leave after closing for the evening.
As they headed out, they were approached by five gunmen wearing face masks. They attacked the pair and a shot was fired, hitting the victim in the leg.
They forced the owner to unlock the premises and demanded money. He too was assaulted and was struck on the back of the head.
The robbers took R5 000 in cash, a camera system and hard drives. They also took the owner’s cellphone. As they fled, a local security company arrived and the robbers attempted to attack the security guards.
Saturday – Two cars were stolen in separate incidents. A white Toyota Fortuner was stolen from an address along Tweedy Street in Brenthurst, and a Mercedes-Benz was stolen from the corner of Abercorn and Prince George avenues.
• A bicycle, an extension cord, a TV, a speaker, a generator and an ice maker were stolen during a burglary at a residence along Regents Avenue.
Sunday – A black Toyota Conquest was stolen from Nossob Street in Dalpark.
• A bread delivery truck was hijacked in Mkhancwa Village, Maryvlei. The driver and his colleague had made a delivery at a tavern in the informal settlement in the morning.
As the driver returned to the truck he was approached by a man who pointed a gun at him and demanded money. The driver gave him some cash and the gunman forced him into the truck.
He robbed both the driver and his colleague of their cellphones. The driver then got out of the truck and tried to run away, but was stopped by three men.
He fought them off and fled to hide nearby. He heard the truck start and then drive off. A case of hijacking was opened and the truck was later recovered in the informal settlement.
