Bogus cops target gun owners in the dead of night

FIREARMS are highly attractive targets for thieves and burglars, and gun owners are routinely advised by the police not to reveal where they keep their firearms, particularly if they are stored at home.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Port Shepstone SAPS reiterated this warning, following reports of a group of men posing as policemen and robbing owners of their licensed firearms at their homes.

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St Faith’s

A 79-year-old man living in the Johnsdale location near St Faith’s was at home one night when there was a knock at the door. Two men, one of them dressed in police uniform, told the man they were conducting an investigation and wanted to see his firearms. He was instructed to open the safe.

“The ‘policemen’ then took his shotgun, a pistol, one shotgun round, two firearm licences, an ID document, a Nokia cellphone and a chainsaw and left,” said police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.

Murchison

Last Monday night, a 34-year-old man and his wife were at home in GG Ward in Murchison when they too heard a knock at the door. Three men entered, one of whom was wearing a police-issue rain jacket.

“They claimed to be police officers from Ramsgate and told the couple they had heard that the husband was selling ammunition. They asked for his 9mm pistol and ammunition. They then accused him of killing someone in Izingolweni and assaulted him,” said Lt-Col Wiid.

“They handcuffed him, pepper sprayed him in the face and took his car keys, two cellphones and cash as well as the firearm and ammunition before leaving.”

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Izingolweni

On Monday night this week a 41-year-old man was at home in Thonjeni, Izingolweni, when four men entered after knocking at the door.

One of the men was dressed in uniform and they introduced themselves as policemen from Izingolweni.

They asked for his 9mm parabellum, the ammunition and magazines as well as his firearm licence. He was then handcuffed and taken to a car.

“However he managed to break free and ran into the bush where he hid until they were gone,” said Lt-Col Wiid.

Paddock

In the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) a 27-year-old man living in Bhomela, Paddock, heard his brother calling at the door.

“When he opened the door there were three men with his brother. One of them was dressed in police uniform. They said that they were policemen looking for whoonga. They then searched the room, and assaulted the man with a firearm. They left taking a cellphone, a wallet and some cash,” said Lt-Col Wiid.

Police are now warning people not to open the door to ‘policemen’ if they cannot identify themselves by producing official police appointment certificates.

“It is suggested that people ask for this identification to be shown at a window before opening the door.

“Every police officer must have the official appointment certificate with the police emblem in his or her possession. If possible, phone your local police station if you are in doubt,” warned Lt-|Col Wiid.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is asked to phone their nearest police station or call 10111.

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