A Centurion couple was stabbed to death, and a teenager and elderly woman injured in a brutal home invasion on Monday evening.

According to local police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, the double murder and house robbery occurred in the Lyttelton area at 20:19.

“The Lyttelton SAPS Detective Service established that the suspect’s modus operandi involved identifying homes listed for sale, approaching the owners, and making contact under the guise of being a prospective buyer.

“On the day of the murder, the suspect arranged to meet with the homeowner. Once inside the house, the suspect executed his robbery plan. Tragically, the occupants resisted, and during the altercation, the suspect, armed with a firearm and a knife, fatally stabbed two victims, who succumbed to their injuries on the scene.”

He says members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), private security and SAPS responded immediately, and forensic teams were deployed to process the evidence.

Cert-SA said in a Facebook post that its Centurion crew responded to the tragic home invasion in Lyttelton Manor.

“Upon arrival, our team found two critically injured patients lying outside the home, where members of the local CPF and community were rendering aid. Sadly, a man and a woman, both in their 40s, succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.”

It added that an elderly woman and a teenage boy sustained minor injuries and were assessed on-site by medical personnel.

Meanwhile, Van Dyk says the Lyttelton SAPS team, comprising uniformed officers and detectives, received critical information about the suspect’s whereabouts yesterday.

“The team acted swiftly, initiating an observation operation in the identified area. Once the suspect was located, a tactical plan was meticulously developed and executed. Following a successful takedown operation, the suspect was apprehended, and the area was secured.”

He adds a search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of the vehicle used during the crime, a firearm, blood-stained clothing and stolen property from the crime scene.

“All forensic role players were called to the arrest scene to document and collect the recovered evidence.

“The suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on the following charges: Murder, attempted murder, house robbery, possession of stolen property and possession of dangerous weapons used in the commission of a crime.”

Acting Tshwane district commissioner Brigadier Kushie Pietersen commended SAPS members for their swift and co-ordinated efforts in apprehending the suspect and ensuring justice for the victims.