Two armed robberies at Rynfield retirement village on same night
An 83-year-old victim was stabbed in the hand after three suspects gained access to his unit.
Residents in two neighbouring units at Rynpark 2 Retirement Village, in Lessing Street, Rynfield, were robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of April 4.
According to Captain Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson of the Benoni Police Station, the incidents occurred between 02:15 and 03:30 when unidentified suspects inside their units woke up the elderly occupants.
“In the first incident, the 78-year-old man got up to investigate the strange noises in the unit. Upon investigation, two armed suspects wearing balaclavas and gloves he accosted him,” she said.
“The suspects tied up the victim and his wife, using pieces of linen.”
They took clothing, jewellery, a TV, a WiFi router and an undisclosed amount of money.
It is suspected that the same group of suspects, this time accompanied by a third suspect armed with a knife, went to the neighbouring unit leading to the 83-year-old resident being stabbed in the hand and struck on the head with a blunt object, presumably the back of a gun.
“The victim was also tied up with pieces of linen while the suspects ransacked the unit, making off with a laptop, TV and jewellery,” said Sekele.
“The suspects demanded access to the safe. In failing to open it, they took it with them when they fled, containing an undisclosed amount of money.”
Sekele said two cases of house robbery are currently under investigation.
“We suspect the suspects had a vehicle parked nearby, used to transport the stolen goods. It is not yet clear how they gained access to the facility or the individual houses without being detected,” she said.
“The victims are receiving medical and trauma care.
“We urge elderly residents to remain vigilant within their surroundings and not to fall victim to living in a false sense of security.”
When approached for comment Marius Botha, the executive manager of Rynpark Retirement Estate, confirmed that the matters were under investigation by the police.
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