Sneaky hijackers hit the east
“We have noticed a trend as criminals driving luxury cars seem to be following motorists home, only to attack them as they park awaiting their gates to open.”
Sneaky car hijackings by criminals following their targets home appear to be on the rise in the east of Pretoria.
“It is a trend all over,” police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt said this week.
In the most recent crime of this nature, a woman in her fifties was robbed of her jewellery in an attempted hijacking in Waterkloof this past Saturday.
“Just before she entered her home, a man approached her and demanded her car,” said police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt.
“As she was hesitating, a second man approached with a gun. They took her jewellery and fled without taking her car.”
It was not immediately clear why they left the car behind.
The police had opened a robbery dockets and were confident an arrest would be made soon.
Breedt said this was a growing concern.
“We do have similar cases reported and it’s a trend all over.”
Police said these criminals apply the same modus operandi, tailing their targets from work or shops to their homes.
A couple of weeks ago, an elderly couple was attacked in similar fashion at their home in Monument Park.
ADT security said the woman and her husband were accosted by four men in a chocolate brown Audi A3, seen at the couple’s gate earlier that week.
ADT Pretoria district manager Leon Muller said: “We suspect the couple had been followed home from the shops.”
Muller said ADT security firm fortunately had a patrol vehicle dedicated to the area.
A reaction officer saw the attack, rushed to the aid of the couple and call for medical assistance.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the couple suffered moderate injuries and were stabilised before they were taken to hospital.
The attackers are still at large but ADT is working closely with the police on a lead, said Muller.
Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller also agreed that this crime was a growing concern.
“We have noticed a trend as criminals driving luxury cars seem to be following motorists home, only to attack them as they park and wait for their gates to open.”
“We urge members of the public to be cautious at all times when driving home. If you feel you are being followed, rather circle your block to ensure you’re not being followed.”
He said since over 60 percent of hijackings took place close to home.
Knowing what to look out for and how to prevent falling victim to hijackers was vital, especially with the festive season around the corner.
“Being aware of your surroundings and knowing how to respond if you find yourself in a hijacking is critical,” said Muller.
Captain Breedt said victims, although in a state of shock, should note things such as language criminals were speaking, facial dethe features of the culprits and car registration numbers to assist in police investigations.
Also read:
ADT helps people to fight crime
ADT warns of hijackings at security complexes
ADT guard arrests two burglars
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