Group of friends held up, robbed at park
A group of friends were held up and robbed by three armed men at about 4pm on June 24 at Gillooly’s Farm. One of the victims, Jan Roodt who resides in Cyrildene, said that they were sitting on the opposite side of the lake when they noticed three men approaching them. “All three of the …
A group of friends were held up and robbed by three armed men at about 4pm on June 24 at Gillooly’s Farm.
One of the victims, Jan Roodt who resides in Cyrildene, said that they were sitting on the opposite side of the lake when they noticed three men approaching them.
“All three of the guys approached us with guns. They told us to lie down and asked for our cellphones. Only three of the six of us had phones. They did not believe us,” said Roodt.
They searched me and found my car keys but threw it back at me. They told us if we got up they will begin to shoot,” said Roodt.
They proceeded to take valuables, including the three cellphones, money and jewellery.
Roodt said one of the suspects had a long thin face, with a beard and mustache. He said he could be in his 40s, with some grey hair.
“One of the other robbers had a round face. After the robbery, we saw them climb up the mountain adjacent to Harvey Nature Reserve and then they disappeared.
“After the suspects left, Roodt asked the first people he saw in the park to contact the police and also asked security at Gillooly’s Farm to help.
“The security guards at Gillooly’s said that the suspects live in the mountains. We were also told that there have been a number of robberies in the area where we were sitting,” said Roodt.
Bedfordview Police Station spokesperson Capt André de Jager confirmed the incident.
De Jager said the investigation continues and no suspect has been identified or arrested.
“It happens regularly at Gillooly’s Farm on the opposite side of the lake,” said Gavin Henry, chairperson of the Bedfordview Community Police Forum.