Bike-jackers active in the East

Cyclists have become the latest targets for robbers in the east of Pretoria, who wait on major cycling routes, push cyclists off their bicycles and take off with them.

A week ago cyclist Jose Franzao said a friend fell victim to this crime while exercising.

Speaking to Rekord, Franzao said he and two of his friends were cycling along Solomon Mahlangu Drive around 05:45 when they were attacked by four men.

“We were riding in a northerly direction towards Lynnwood Road and on the uphill between Old Farm Road and Disselboom Avenue,” he said.

“There was a car parked on the yellow line and as we approached four men got out of the car.”

Trying to avoid the car and the men, Franzao who was riding ahead of his friends, moved into the road into the traffic.

“I shouted to the one man to get out of the way and as I got close to him he pushed me off the bike.

“I got up with my bike in one hand, he grabbed the bike’s handle in the other hand and we were tossing back and forth to get the bike.”

During this tug of war for the bike, Franzao went towards oncoming traffic pulling the robber along.

He said the robber eventually left the bicycle.

As he turned back to check on his friends, the one behind him had fallen into the arms of two other robbers who hit him with an object in the face and legs, grabbing his bike.

“Then, they grabbed him by the helmet and threatened to shoot him if he resisted,” Franzao said.

“He shouted at me to leave my bike because they were going to shoot and we heard a gunshot go off.”

He said a bakkie pulled up behind the robbers’ car where the two robbers loaded the friend’s bicycle and drove off.

The third cyclist managed to see what was happening in time for him to turn around.

Franzao said the trend seemed to be a growing one as the day after their incident he received word of a mountain biker near Boschkop Road who was shot at and his bicycle stolen.

“About a month ago, I learnt of a bike-jacking in Solomon Mahlangu Drive where a road cyclist was pushed off the road and his bicycle taken,” he said.

“Then a week later, the same happened to a mountain bike cyclist also in Solomon Mahlangu Drive near the intersection with St Bernard Drive.”

He said more patrols were needed along Solomon Mahlangu Drive as it appeared to be a hotspot.

Police spokesperson Daniel Mavimbela said a case of robbery with a firearm was being investigated by the Garsfontein police.

Although Mavimbela did not offer any explanation of what police were doing to curb the crime in the area and whether police had noted an increase, private security working in the east said the theft of bicycles was a major concern.

Bull security spokesperson French Jooste said stationary bicycles in residential areas were also being targeted.

“The spike started in middle-February and has drastically increased since,” he said.

“It’s difficult to say exactly how many cases have been reported, but according to our stats and Pretoria East Facebook pages, two to three bicycles per week.”

Jooste said there are two types of criminals operating in the east.

The first are opportunists that see a bicycle inside a resident’s yard, jump the wall and steal it.

“We also had incidents where the criminals will break open a garage door and only steal the bicycles. These criminals will either use the bicycle for their transport or sell it for a small amount. Quick money.

“The other type of criminals are the robbers that specialise in very expensive bicycles. Now I am talking brand bicycles just to name a few, that we see get stolen daily. Merida, Giant Talon, Titan 2021, Silverback.”

He said these criminals would usually rob bicycle owners while on a ride or break into homes to steal.

They would then resell the bicycles for half their worth.

“We had incidents where criminals rob bicycle owners at gunpoint while exercising. These criminals usually travel with a panel van, for example, a Toyota Quantum or a Mercedes Vito with loading space,” he said.

“Video footage of many incidents confirmed these criminals usually travel at night and early morning hours.”

Jooste encouraged cyclists to be very vigilant and make sure that they do not leave their bicycles unattended.

“Make sure that your bicycle is locked away in a safe place at night. Never leave your bicycle in your yard. Out of sight, out of mind,” he said.

“When going for a ride, make sure that you ride in a group, never ride alone. Always look around you. Always make sure that you have proper photographs of your bicycle. That helps us to circulate the information on our crime prevention platforms.”

ALSO READ: Two men shot and killed outside Ga-Rankuwa

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