The Benoni police has issued a warning to the residents after noticing a visible spike in house robberies in the Rynfield area.
On May 13, three armed men robbed a house on Uys Street around 2.10am.
Spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said it is alleged a 39-year-old man and his partner were sleeping when they heard a loud bang on the front door.
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“They then saw three men wearing balaclavas inside their house, who threatened them,” said Sekele.
The robbers took a laptop, cellphones, keys and a handbag with an undisclosed amount of money inside.
In another incident, on May 7 at Struben Street around 1.30am, a 74-year-old woman was tied up during a house robbery.
The woman was also sleeping when she was woken up by a noise inside the house.
“When she woke up, she saw a cellphone light in her bedroom and she immediately switched on the light,” said Sekele.”
She then saw three men in her bedroom and one of them armed.
Sekele said the robbers told the woman that they will not hurt her if she obeys; they tied up her legs and hands with a cable.
They took her jewellery, an undisclosed amount of money and some dollars and her panic button.
All cases were opened at the Benoni Police Station.
The police have shared the following tips to help residents:
• Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.? During the day (especially if you are alone in the house), make sure that gates are at all times closed and locked.
• Do not respond to strangers who are hooting in front of your gates if you are not expecting anyone.
• Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, and ladders that can be used in an attack are locked away when you do not use them.
• Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights. Remain awake for a while. You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
• Installing an alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
•Install security lights on the outside of the house to improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
• Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
• Identify relatively safe places of refuge, such as the bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
• Report any suspicious activity you take note of on 10111, even if it is not directly in your household or directly call the relief commander on 082 332 4875.
