WATCH VIDEO: Burglaries a nightmare for Pta North residents
“The last time they tried to break in, both my sons were at home.”
A spate of burglaries in the north of Pretoria has left residents and business owners despondent.
Pretoria North resident Ronnie Kgori told Rekord on Monday his home had been targeted twice in the past month.
“They broke in last month and took almost everything we had in the house,” said Kgori.
“The last time they tried to break in, both my sons were at home.”
Kgori said during the first burglary, thieves ransacked his family home in broad daylight.
“They (burglars) gained entry to my yard by lifting the electronic gate off its rail. They parked inside so no one in the street would suspect they were up to no good.”
Kgori said the burglars stole all the electronic appliances in the house, clothes and anything else they could load into the getaway vehicle.
“My sons (13 and 17) came home to find our house had been broken into. They said they saw a white Ford Bantam leaving our driveway when they arrived home.”
Kgori said he believed the burglars might have been tipped-off that no one was home during the day.
“A few days prior to the burglary, we offered help to a lady in Koos de la Rey Street who was looking for a piece job. My wife invited her into the house to help with the laundry.”
“The lady seemed all too interested to know if we were at work during the day and what time we usually came home. I can’t say for sure she had tipped-off the burglars, but maybe this should be a warning to other residents not to trust just anyone wandering the streets looking for work.”
Kgori said the same Ford Bantam that was spotted after the first break-in, appeared at their house again two weeks ago.
“My sons were at home during the school holiday. They watched through the window as the burglars got in through the gate…”
Kgori said one of the burglars spotted his 13-year-old son in the house.
“They (burglars) just continued to break the security gates to get in through the kitchen door. My eldest called the neighbour and after he (neighbour) came out to our gate the burglars fled.”
Kgori said he had to reach deep into his pocket to install alarms around his house.
“I’m afraid they might return – the extra security is necessary to protect my family.”
Last month, a businessman in Pretoria North also shared his experience with burglars regularly targeting his family’s business.
Quinten Meyer, manager at Just Nature Organics, said burglars raided their business premises as often as 15 times a year.
“Unfortunately, our business is situated in the industrial area which is a hotspot for crime,” said Meyer.
He shared security camera footage that showed how the burglars break through security gates and burglar-proof windows.
Watch here:
“Each time they break in it costs us thousands to replace the stolen goods and repair the damage they cause to get in.”
Meyer said security had been upgraded again to try and discourage burglaries.
“Recently I heard that sector police had arrested two suspected burglars. I’m unsure whether they can be linked with the burglaries at our business.”
Police could not immediately confirm the alleged arrests.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Rebecca Phatlane said she would look into the matter and give feedback shortly.
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