Muldersdrift Police warn that there has been a significant increase in house break-ins and robberies in the area, and urge the community to be vigilant.
Sergeant Kgomotso Mogwere, West Rand District Police Corporate Communications representative reported that on Tuesday, August 24 a man was outside his home in Rietfontein when five men entered the yard, held him at gunpoint and assaulted him before they went into the house where they took two cellphones, two laptops and a revolver that belong to the victim, and fled the scene on foot.
In a separate incident, eight armed men forced open the door and entered a house in Nooitgedaght on Wednesday, August 25 at 02:20 and held four house occupants at gunpoint, assaulted them and took three plasma televisions, six cellphones, one DVD player, one amplifier, one M-Net decoder, and an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.
Lieutenant Colonel Makontsho Setlhare, Muldersdrift Police station commander said, “We are alert and working around the clock to trace the suspects, and are intensifying police visibility and patrols around Muldersdrift”.
Police provided the following safety tips:
• Security lights outside the house can improve the physical protection of a house and deter criminals.
• A high fence around the house with lockable gates is much safer than a high wall due to the improved visibility it provides.
• Ensure that all the doors are locked at all times and windows are closed when you are not home.
• Ensure that tools such as axes, spades and hammers which can be used in an attack are locked away when they are not in use.
• An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
• Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
• Vary your daily routine. Get into the habit of not falling asleep immediately after switching off the lights.
• Do not go outside when you hear a strange noise or dogs barking constantly; rather call the neighbours and the police while activating the alarm system.
Community members with information that can help in tracing the suspects can contact the Muldersdrift Police on 011 952 4600, use the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or use the SMS number 32211 and remain anonymous.
