Three men charged with robbery were remanded in custody by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court pending further investigation.
The accused, who are 23, 25 and 34 years of age, allegedly broke into a Wendywood home at 10am on 23 November. They were arrested by the police as they
fled the scene after dropping the stolen items.
The elderly victim was in his bedroom talking to his son on the phone and heard a banging sound on the outside door. When he went to check, while still in contact with the son, he was met in the corridor by the three suspects. He ran back to his bedroom but the suspects got in before he could lock himself inside.
They allegedly assaulted him and took his phone after he had told his son to alert the police and security guards. They are said to have covered him in a blanket and one of the robbers sat on him. One of the other men allegedly stepped on his head while asking if he was alone in the house while the other ransacked the place. The accomplices joined him after ordering the victim not to move.
They took jewellery, two television sets, a laptop and an iPad all valued at R178 000. As they left, they dropped the items outside the victim’s yard and police in a van intercepted them as they ran next to a road. A siren was activated and when they scattered, the police gave chase on foot and fired a warning shot forcing them to surrender. They were taken in the van to the crime scene where the stolen items were recovered.
The victim’s phone was found on one of the robbers and all the items were handed back to him while the robbers were taken to the cells.
