Weekend crime round-up
An overview of crimes reported to local SAPS from November 8 to 10.
The following crimes were reported to Brakpan police over the past weekend:
Friday – Two vehicles were stolen. A white Hyundai H100 was stolen from the corner of Voortrekker Road and High Street, and a silver Volkswagen Polo TSI was stolen from Nossob Street in Dalpark.
• A laptop was stolen during a break-in at a business along 16th Road in Vulcania.
• A gang of men made off with a firearm, cellphones and other valuables after robbing three security guards at the Schapenrust Train Station in Brenthurst.
The incident took place at around 22:15 when one of the guards was returning from the bathroom. As she made her way back to the guardhouse, she was confronted by two men who pointed guns at her, and demanded her firearm.
She told them she didn’t have a gun, and the men took her to the guardhouse, where she found her colleagues had been overpowered and handcuffed.
The guard was searched and one of the robbers removed her bulletproof vest. He then found her firearm concealed in the waistband of her trousers.
After taking the gun, the victims’ cellphones and a bag valued at around R500, the robbers fled. It is reported at least six men were involved. A case of armed robbery is under investigation.
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Saturday – A home in Oval Road, Sherwood Gardens, was burgled of a laptop, a cellphone, a DVD player and other household items.
• Wheels were stolen from a car and two trailers parked at an address along Farquharson Road in Rand Collieries.
• Four men were arrested following a robbery at a Northdene Avenue café. The robbers entered the shop at around 18:20 and threatened the two men inside. A shot fired at one of the men fortunately missed its target.
This man was locked in the shop’s security cage and hid from the robbers under a desk. After failing to gain access to the cage, the robbers fled with a slot machine, two cellphones and other items.
The foursome were nabbed and face charges of business robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession of presumed stolen property.
• An e-hailing driver crashed his car after a would-be hijacker attempted to steal the vehicle. The driver, travelling in a red Renault Scenic, received a request for a ride from a man at around 21:30 and proceeded to an address along Tafelboom Street in Dalpark Ext 6 to pick him up.
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Upon their arrival at the intended destination, the passenger told the driver the location was incorrect and instructed him to drive further up the street
The driver complied but as they neared a dark stretch of road, the passenger, who was seated in the back, pulled out a knife and pressed it against the driver’s neck.
He demanded the driver’s cellphone and money. The driver handed over his cellphone but had no cash to give the knife-wielding man.
The man then told the driver he would take the car instead. The driver reacted to this by speeding up, and lost control of the car.
The vehicle collided with a lamp post and then struck a tree, near the corner of Tigerwood Avenue and Dikbas Street in Leachville. The driver fled on foot, leaving his attacker behind in the vehicle. A robbery docket was opened.
Sunday – No priority cases were reported at the time of publication.
