The Benoni police have warned residents to avoid falling victim to various crimes.
This comes after two house robberies took place in Farrarmere and Lakefield this past week.
On December 4 at around 11.20am, a domestic worker was tied up during a house robbery at Derwent Avenue, Farrarmere.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said it is alleged that the domestic worker was doing her daily duties.
“Suddenly, she heard a car hoot at the gate, and went to check who was there,” said Sekele.
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“When she got to the gate, the man inside the vehicle told the domestic worker he was there to fix some plugs in the house.”
Sekele said the domestic worker said she would call her employer to ascertain with her employers if anyone was expected to fix the plugs.
“As she went to the back inside the house, she found three men armed with knives and one with a firearm. They tied her up and locked her in one of the bedrooms,” said Sekele.
The intruders fled with household appliances and clothes.
On December 6 at Eybers Street, Farrarmere, at around 12.20 pm, another robbery occurred. A domestic worker was locked inside the bathroom.
Sekele said the four men in a sliver-grey Ford Bantam told the domestic worker they were sent to fix the WiFi router.
“When she wanted to go inside the house to call her employer, one of the men said she must give them her employers’ number and they would call her immediately,” said Sekele.
“One of the men pretended to be calling the employer, and then he said the employer said she must let them in.”
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Sekele said when she let them in, they threatened her and locked her inside the bathroom while they searched the house.
The robbers took a safe, cellphone, hard drive and a laptop.
In another incident, on December 6 at around 11.15am, a domestic worker was hit over the head with a gun by the intruders on Killarney Avenue, Lakefield.
Sekele said the two men in a white BMW told the domestic worker they had a delivery to make for her employer.
“When she asked to see the delivery papers, which the alleged robbers failed to produce, they forcefully pushed the gate and gained entry into the premises and hit her over the head with a gun,” said Sekele.
They fled with electrical appliances and jewellery.
All three cases were opened at the Benoni Police Station.
The spokesperson warned homeowners who leave their domestic workers at their home during the day to inform them of contractors or people expected to work on their premises during their absence.
“Domestic workers need to contact their employers and to inform them of unknown people wanting to gain entry, and to confirm their claims with their employers before granting them access,” said Sekele.
“It is important for the domestic worker not to grant strangers access to the premises before confirming with their employers.”
Police also warn residents to avoid falling victim to street robberies.
On December 3 at about 2.30pm, a woman was robbed of her handbag on Voortrekker Street, Benoni CBD.
Sekele said while the victim was walking, she came across two men who grabbed her handbag and ran away.
A case of common robbery was opened.
Sekele said these areas are known to be prone to street robberies:
• Voortrekker Street.
• Tom Jones Street.
• Cranbourne Avenue.
• Bunyan Street.
• The vicinity of the Benoni Plaza.
She said the culprits, who are usually in pairs or threes, carry knives or firearms.
The spokesperson provided the following tips for residents to reduce their chances of falling victim to common robbery:
• Do not have your cellphone in your hand when walking in the street.
• Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
• If you are attacked, do not resist.
• Look at the robbers so that you can later identify them.
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