Crime spikes in the East
This was reflected in the crime statistics that were released by the minister of police General Bheki Cele on Friday.
With the relaxation of hard lockdown measures, violent crime has made an unwelcome return to the east of Pretoria over the past week.
Last Wednesday, a man was killed and two others injured in a shootout between a group of alleged armed robbers and local authorities in a veld along the R50 road in Erasmuskloof.
The drama started when an unknown man entered the Vodacom shop at Atterbury Value Mart around 10:10 and waited to be “helped” by the staff, according to police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo.
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Shortly afterwards, another suspect entered and approached one of the salespeople. The suspect then took out a firearm and ushered the staff member to one of the offices inside the shop, where he demanded cellphones.
The staff member handed over around 20 fake phones, which were put into a backpack. On leaving the store, the attackers also took four phones off some of the other staff members along with an unknown amount of cash from the cash register.
“As they were running out of the store, a firearm magazine fell to the ground.
“They then got into a silver Toyota Corolla with two other suspects. A chase ensued by Bull and Brinant security and later joined by a Garsfontein police vehicle.
“In Erasmuskloof, the suspects were cut off and forced out of the vehicle. A shootout broke out between the suspects and various security personnel. One of the suspects was fatally shot. A search continued into some dense bushes and the other three suspects were also found by police officers and security members. One of them was found with a bullet wound in the upper leg. He was taken to hospital,” Masondo said.
ER24 emergency service spokesperson Russel Meiring said ER24 paramedics, along with other medical services, arrived on the scene at 10:54 to find local authorities already in attendance.
According to Atterbury Value Mart spokesperson Rozanne Hartze, a shot was fired during the robbery and the suspects fled.
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Two other suspects sustained injuries; one was shot in the leg, while the other got a cut on his hand.
All stolen goods have since been recovered, as well as two handguns.
This was the second robbery at the shopping centre this week.
Last Tuesday morning, three suspects fled with about R50 000 after a robbery at Newlands Accessories.
Brooklyn CPF, CSI security, Bull security, Fidelity ADT as well as others were part of the team that helped apprehend the group.
Brooklyn SAPS will be investing a case of murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as business robbery.
The suspects were all between 20 and 35-years-old and were from Tembisa and Johannesburg, according the police.
On the same day a 52-year-old man was shot in the leg in Piering Road, Elarduspark, following an altercation with three alleged robbers.
Brinant security spokesperson Erick Becker said there has been an increase in opportunistic crime, particularly house robberies and theft of electronic devices such as cell phones from joggers, walkers, and cyclists and even laptops and iPads through open windows and/or unlocked doors.
“Opportunistic thieves are aware that families will be working remotely from home and that children are continuing with online schooling via electronic devices,” he said.
“As such these criminals will be on the lookout for easy opportunities to take advantage of vulnerable properties and of people being out and about during 06:00 and 09:00.”
Corroborating this was Bull security spokesperson French Jooste who said they noted a very big increase in armed robberies in the past two weeks.
He said criminals hit quickly and were often armed and dangerous.
“They don’t care if you are home or not,” he said.
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“They are operating in the East of Pretoria, areas Garsfontein, Moreleta Park Faerie Glen and surroundings.”
“These suspects take electronics cash and jewellery. They normally operate between two and three males with a getaway vehicle.”
Unsuspecting diners who placed their cell phones on the table while enjoying a meal at restaurants were also being targeted.
In general, robberies and violent crimes have risen in the east of Pretoria.
This was reflected in the crime statistics that were released by the minister of police General Bheki Cele on Friday.
The Brooklyn police station was reported to be number 14 on the list of top 30 police station that reported violent crimes from 1 April 2019 to 30 March 2020.
These statistics do not include the recent Covid-19 lockdown period, which started 27 March.
The police station reported an increase of 7.9 percent in crimes that include murder, sexual offences attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, common robbery as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.
On the top 30 list of theft of motor vehicle and motorcycles, Brooklyn was first on the list having reported an increase of 43.7 percent. Silverton reported an increase on 21.1 percent while Garsfontein reported an increase on 14.6 percent.
The Brooklyn police station also reported a 27.7 percent increase in common robberies.
“Last year we made a commitment that there cannot be police stations that will be permanently in the top 30 if we improvements in about 12 stations which were stubborn over the past years,” Cele said.
“They are indeed serious about halving violent crimes in the next decade.”
“During the reporting period of 2019/2020, we have experienced significant dominating provinces in the top 30 stations particularly in murder and rape are KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.”
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