Last week Tuesday, around 5.45pm, homeowners in Lagoon Drive were tied up and robbed at gun point when three men with firearms entered their home.
The family of four were waiting for a pizza delivery at the time, and were completely shocked when the perpetrators suddenly walked through their front door signalling for them to be quiet.
“They jumped over the wall,” says the father of the home – who has asked for him and his family’s identities to be protected.
The armed men tied all four family members up with cable ties and proceeded to search the home for valuables.
Stolen items included a television set, two tablet devices, two laptops, four cellphones, ladies’ handbags, wallets and jewellery.
“They even took the necklace off my wife’s neck,” said the 57-year-old father.
After a next door neighbour came home and deactivated his alarm system the perpetrators heard the alarm’s bell squawk, got a fright and made their getaway in what looked like a silver Toyota.
“They asked which of our cars did not have a tracker, and were looking for a safe while they were in our bedrooms”.
Also read: Ballito family held at gunpoint
He said he had been replaying the events of that night in his head ever since.
Investigation and Guarding Services (IGS’s) Stuart Weston was called by neighbours after the burglary.
“Stuart and his team went out of their way to assist us with everything, including calling the police and keeping the family calm,” said the homeowner.
South African Police Service (SAPS) and a crime investigation team- which included a dog unit patrol – arrived to survey the scene, take statements and do fingerprints.
Trauma councillor Nina McNeil from The Open Door Crisis Care Centre was also on hand to attend to the family, with special attention given to the mother – who suffered an episode similar to a fit straight after the incident.
It was comforting to the family that IGS, IPSS Medical Rescue, SAPS and McNeil all came together so effectively to handle the case “with the utmost of care and professionalism”.
By sharing their story they hope to increase awareness, because an incident like this can happen “to anyone, at any time… over a matter of seconds.”
Umhlali SAPS Captain Vinny Pillay said he and his team would start doing blue light patrolling in voluntary night shifts, in hopes of deterring any criminals planning hits in nearby areas.
He begged the community to have patience and sympathise with the amount of pressure they’re working under.
“We have limited man power and only one patrol vehicle responsible for such a large area,” said Pillay.
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