One suspect was shot and later died in what appears to be an attempted armed robbery in Glenvista, Johannesburg last night.

Francois Jansen, operations director for Fox Security says a resident shot one of four armed robbers after they tried to rob him and his family on The Dome Street.

Mondeor CPF chairperson Mike Fontes says the suspect was shot in the chest and later succumbed to gunshot wounds. Three other suspects managed to flee the scene in a white VW Polo. No arrests have been made.

The Glenvista Community Policing Forum warn residents of the armed robberies in the area.

“Residents should be aware that there is a dangerous group of criminals operating in the Glenvista area bordering the Rand Water veld.”

Fontes says the group is responsible for at least three violent house robberies in the space of little over a week on Walshingham Road, Biggarsberg Drive, Devils Tooth Place and surrounds. The group is also suspected to be connected with a series of house break-ins.

“They typically operate in a group of three that penetrates the house but sometimes as many as five. They are all armed with handguns and are between the ages of 35 – 40 years of age and believed to be Zimbabwean,” he says.

Fontes further explains that the suspect’s modus operandi usually entails them hiding out in the garden behind cars, domestic quarters, and dustbins between 20:00 and 21:00.

“They sometimes cause a disturbance or pounce when residents are arriving at home. If they catch the homeowner in the garden, they hold them up at gunpoint and force them into the home.”

“Victims are usually tied up and they demand cash and jewellery. They are also known to break into homes at around 03:00 catching residents asleep and robbing them. They are known to lay low in the nearby veld and are working with a pickup vehicle,” says Fontes.

According to Fontes, the group have already shot at one resident.

“This group is violent and prone to assaulting victims and has already shot at one resident who returned fire repelling the attack. They returned the following evening to rob a house close by.”

Fontes describes one of the suspects as estimated to be 40. walks with a limp, has a scar on the left-hand side of his face and has bad skin.

Law enforcers are working tirelessly to combat the crime and are urging residents to be more vigilant.

“The CPF together with SAPS and local security companies are trying to apprehend these suspects and we are working on some promising leads and there will be targeted operations to apprehend these criminals.”

“Residents should be aware of this threat and take precautions accordingly. Rather call your armed reaction to check on activity in your yard rather than go outside yourself and be alert when arriving home after dark,” adds Fontes.

Any persons with information may contact the CPF on 076 898 8011 or Mondeor SAPS on 011 433 5400.