Police and private security officers have arrested three suspects following a series of attempted house burglaries in Pretoria East.
Police, CPFs, neighbourhood watches and private security officials have been working around the clock to combat burglaries and thwart robberies.
Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk urged residents to remain vigilant and look out for one another.
Between September 11 and September 19, officials thwarted three attempted house burglaries, leading to three arrests.
Van Dyk advised homeowners to ask neighbours or friends to keep an eye on their properties while they are away.
Homeowner shoots intruder during Landi Street attack
In one incident on September 19, a 66-year-old homeowner shot and wounded an alleged intruder after being stabbed during an attempted robbery in Landi Street.
Officers were dispatched to the residence at approximately 04:00. According to the investigation, the homeowner was asleep in his bedroom at around 03:50 when the suspect woke him.
When the homeowner questioned the suspect, he was stabbed in his upper left arm. The homeowner managed to retrieve his firearm and fired five shots at the suspect, allegedly grazing his head and striking him in his upper right torso.
Police arrived to find the homeowner injured and the suspect wounded at the scene.
The suspect was placed under police guard and is expected to appear in court after receiving medical attention.
Bull Security arrests 2 suspects in Garsfontein
In another incident on September 13, two suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged house burglary in Garsfontein while homeowners were away on holiday.
Private security company Bull Security made the arrest and handed the suspects over to police.
The suspects disconnected the security alarm, which sent a signal to Bull Security. A team was dispatched, and upon inspection, the two suspects were arrested and handed over to the police.
Garsfontein CPF chairperson and Alpha Security Forum founding director Aris Ruyter said the area is experiencing increasing pressure, with an influx of people moving through residential areas and economic conditions heightening opportunistic crime.
“We absolutely believe in helping those who genuinely need assistance, but it needs to be done responsibly,” Ruyter said, warning residents to stay vigilant in their streets.
Ruyter urged community members to take simple precautions before travelling, emphasising that no single security measure or company can protect a property on its own.
Rekord approached the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to establish whether the suspects have been formally charged, what charges were favoured, and when they are due to appear in court, but no response had been received at the time of publishing.
Safety tips for homeowners
To improve safety, homeowners are encouraged to join active street groups, neighbourhood watches, and local CPF WhatsApp groups and communicate with immediate neighbours.
If you are away from home for an extended period, set automated timers on indoor lamps and ask a neighbour to handle mail and rubbish bins so the house looks occupied.
Double-lock all windows and doors, especially any inner doors connecting an attached garage directly to the house.
Inform your armed response company of travel dates so they treat any alarm activation as a high-priority incident.
Run a full diagnostic check on your alarm and perimeter fencing a week before departure to catch low batteries or faulty sensors.
Test your alarm, electric fence, beams, cameras and panic systems.
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