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Armed robbers attack family in Steiltes

A family was attacked in their home by armed robbers wearing dust masks. According to Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit operations manager, Mr Nico Grobler, the incident occurred at a house in Liberty Street, Steiltes on Monday at 18:40.

Mr Vernus Kruger said his wife, Lara, was speaking to her friend in their driveway.

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Mr Vernus Kruger.

Her friend had her handicapped daughter with her. He said that was when six armed robbers descended on them and forced them into the house through the garage door.

Also read: Hi-Tech clamps down on criminal activity

The suspects were wearing dust masks, gloves and dark blue overalls.

“The handicapped child was pushed so she fell, and Lara’s friend was ordered to lie on the floor,” Kruger said.

According to him, Lara kept the suspects’ attention away from their daughter Michelle’s bedroom.

She bravely contacted Hi-Tech’s control room and her father.

“They demanded my wife to open the safe by holding a gun to her head. The suspects found a firearm in the safe and took it. They got away with about R100 000’s worth of goods ranging from jewellery, phones, tablets, to a laptop and TV,” Kruger said.

The suspects must have realised his wife had also managed to press the panic button in their home as they left soon afterwards. Grobler said when Michelle contacted their control room, they could hear the perpetrators in the house.

Also read: Card cloners making a hi-tech comeback in city

“We immediately responded to the call and contacted the police as well.”

He said they missed the perpetrators who fled in a dark blue BMW 3 Series with an unknown registration plate. “We even tried to block off all exits in the area, but they were too fast.”

Mr Nico Grobler.
Mr Nico Grobler.

Grobler warned the public to be extremely vigilant in the early hours of an evening before 21:00.

“These armed-type of gangs realise that people are more relaxed when they get home from work and some are cooking dinner. This is when most attacks happen,” he added. In the case of this incident, the family had excellent security but the perpetrators had taken advantage of a gap. Kruger said they had been traumatised, but nobody was injured.

Police spokesman, Capt Dawie Pretorius, said the police were investigating the matter further.

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