House robbers attack two homes at same time
The two separate robberies took place at the same time and in both incidents four armed robbers were involved.
Brooklyn police urged residents to increase safety measures while they are at home during the day to prevent house robberies.
This comes after two incidents were reported in Waterkloof Ridge and Brooklyn on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Webster Scheepers said police received the calls at about 12:45.
“Brooklyn SAPS responded to two separate incidents of house robberies at Delphinus Road in Waterkloof Ridge and Justice Mohammed Road in Brooklyn,” he said.
“In Waterkloof Ridge, the complainant and his domestic worker were overpowered by four armed men inside the house.”
Scheepers said the group of robbers instructed the pair to lie down while they ransacked the house.
After taking valuable items, the robbers locked the two inside a room and fled the scene with the stolen items.
“The suspects were using a white Volkswagen Polo and an unknown white bakkie to commit these crimes,” he said.
In Brooklyn, four unknown men gained entry through an open gate and garage, entered the house and held the owner at gunpoint.
Scheepers said the gate and garage were left open because there were repair people busy on the premises.
“The suspects ransacked the house, loaded the items into the victim’s car and fled in the vehicle,” he said.
“Some of the items stolen in both robberies included TVs, jewellery and cellphones.
“No shots were fired and no one was injured.”
He said no arrests have been made in both cases and that police were still investigating.
He encouraged members of the public to reject and report stolen goods.
“The purchasing of stolen goods motivates criminals to repeat their actions,” he said.
Scheepers offered the following advice for during and after a robbery:
– Use a panic button or call the police emergency number 10111 immediately when strange noises are heard, especially during the early morning hours.
– Cooperate with the robber for your own safety and the safety of others. Comply with their demands where possible. Possessions can easily be replaced but not lives.
– Remain calm, and do not make sudden movements, keep your hands in sight at all times.
– Make mental notes of the robbers’ physical description and other observations important to law enforcement officials.
– Note and be able to describe the size, type and colour of any weapon used in the robbery and also the type of vehicle in which they fled.
– Contact the SAPS emergency number immediately after the robbery, even if the alarm is already activated.
– Do not touch anything the robber may have touched. Block off areas where the robbers were until the detective arrives.
– Try to recall as much as you can about the robber’s appearance, speech and mannerisms.
– Assist the SAPS with possible CCTV footage. Also ask neighbours for possible footage.
– Get involve with your local Community Police Forum (CPF) and Sector Police Forum to get regular updates on crime tendencies and safety measures in your suburb.
Anyone who has any information on these or other crimes are requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or SMS Crime line on 32211 or the Brooklyn police at 012-366-1735/6 or use the MySAPS app to report crime anonymously.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
