A resident was robbed at gunpoint at her home in Lennoxton on Wednesday morning.
The resident’s domestic helper arrived at work at 8am. She was then allegedly accosted by an unknown man seeking employment. The domestic worker said the man approached her with a gun and shoved her into the house thereby gaining entry. The resident was alarmed at the disturbance, and seeing the suspect, realised there was trouble brewing.
“He said if I screamed, he would shoot. As soon as I saw the gun, I knew he meant business,” recalled the traumatised resident.
Even though his face was exposed, the suspect was allegedly undeterred.
“He kept pointing the gun at me, and asked for a shopping bag. I was so afraid to look at him; he had a gun aimed to my head. I told him to take what he wanted, but spare our lives,” she said.
The robber then asked the two women for a can of insect repellent. Confused and overwhelmed by the ordeal, the resident could not respond.
“When he didn’t get what he wanted, he took a can of air freshener and sprayed it around. We think this was to congest us or force us to lose consciousness. Thankfully, the can was only half full,” said the resident.
The robber then allegedly demanded to be shown where the resident’s safe was kept, and asked for money and jewellery.
Disoriented, the resident was hesitant at first to reveal she had a safe. Becoming more agitated, the robber threatened to shoot them again, and subsequently pushed the victim, who then lost her balance and fell, injuring her upper body and neck.
Further distressed, the resident produced a key to the safe and showed the suspect where to find it.
“I generally don’t carry cash on me, but I’m thankful there was some in the safe. Otherwise, he would have killed us.”
The suspect instructed both victims to lie on the ground while he ransacked the safe. He stole jewellery and cash, as well as valuable electronic equipment, before fleeing.
Once it was safe, the women screamed for help. The door was broken down, and both women rescued.
“It has affected my whole life. I’m paranoid by the slightest noise. I even tell my husband to check the doors and windows repeatedly. My privacy was invaded, and I don’t feel safe in my own home anymore,” concluded the resident.
