Notable increase in armed house robberies in the east of Pretoria
On Monday, 21 September an elderly Waterkloof couple was also attacked inside their home.
More and more armed house robberies have been reported in the east of Pretoria in the past few weeks, according to police and security companies.
As several reports of armed robberies rose in the area, Brooklyn police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said they have prioritised investigations into the armed house robberies, especially those affecting the vulnerable and elderly citizens.
She cautioned elderly residents to be extra vigilant about their safety and security.
“Whenever possible, windows, doors and security gates must be kept locked even during the day,” she said.
“Outside main gates security measures need to be improved to keep criminals out. Alarm systems, panic buttons, CCTV, patrols by security companies and even dogs can give an early warning of and deter intruders.”
The latest incident happened on Friday, 25 September, at about 11:00, when an 80-year-old Waterkloof man was robbed of two firearms.
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“Two unknown men entered the house, armed with a firearm. They threatened the elderly man looking for a safe. They removed the safe from the wall and stole two firearms from it,” Weilbach said.
On Monday, 21 September an elderly Waterkloof couple was also attacked inside their home.
“The suspects were looking for a safe and ransacked the house. They also took the elderly man’s wedding ring. The elderly couple and a domestic worker were locked up in the bathroom before the suspects fled.”
Weilbach said co-operation with other security officials and community members was key in combating these crimes.
Brooklyn station commander Brigadier Kushie Pietersens commended community involvement in reporting cases.
“Criminals frequently select vacant houses since there is a lower likelihood of being caught,” Pietersens said.
Speaking on behalf of Bull security, French Jooste said many people experienced armed house robberies during the day as they worked from home during the Covid-19 outbreak.
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“These criminals will break in with the homeowners inside the house, holding them at gunpoint demanding jewellery, tablets, notebooks, cash, and so on.
“It is always in a group of three to four criminals with a getaway vehicle. These robberies take only seconds. Although for the homeowners it feels like hours.”
Jooste urged residents to get to know their neighbours and create a communication group for general security reporting.
“If you suspect something wrong outside your home at night, do not go out, but rather inform a security company to investigate.”
Erick Becker of Brinant security said there was an average of about one to three house robberies within a 24-hour period, over the past few weeks.
Becker said his security company would conduct more patrols and work with the CPF communities in combating these crimes.
CSI security‘s Dana Bloem said they were alerted to at least three armed house robberies in the past week alone.
“CSI security specialises in the east of Pretoria and found that Lynnwood, Menlo Park, Waterkloof and Brooklyn areas have been hit quite hard the past few weeks,” he said.
“We receive updates of all criminal activities minutes after they occur via the closed security forums and groups as well as our control room and other patrolling companies in the areas.”
If a robbery does take place do the following:
– Co-operate with the robber. Don’t resist, and don’t do anything that would put your life in danger.
– Avoid surprises. Robbers are generally nervous, so any quick or surprising movements could put you and others in harm’s way.
– Be observant. Take note of the number of robbers involved as well as their physical characteristics (eg, height, eye and hair colour, hair length, etc).
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