Elderly targeted: wheelchair-bound woman robbed
The 76-year-old woman was alone when she was confronted by a man in the kitchen.
A case of house robbery was opened at the Brakpan Police Station after a wheelchair-bound senior citizen was robbed in her Anzac home on Friday morning.
The 76-year-old woman was alone at her Edward Street residence when she was confronted by a man in the kitchen at about 11.20am.
According to information received from the Brakpan SAPS, the robber instructed the woman to keep quiet and demanded money.
She told him she had R200 in her purse in her bedroom.
The robber followed the woman into the bedroom, where she gave him the money.
He then pushed her back to the kitchen and left her there while he searched the house.
The robber also took a plasma television set and an iPhone before fleeing through the kitchen door.
Capt Joep Joubert, spokesperson for the Brakpan Police Station commander, expressed his disgust at the crime.
“It’s unthinkable that someone would rob a senior citizen in a wheelchair,” he said.
“Our senior citizens should be protected, not taken advantage of.”
Safety tips for seniors:
- Install and use good locks on doors and windows.
- Don´t hide keys under the doormat, in the mailbox or in a pot plant. If needed, leave a spare key with a family member or a trusted neighbour.
- When service or delivery people come to the door, ask for identification and check with their company if you´re still not 100 per cent certain about their identity.
- Make sure that the street number on your house is large, well-lit and unobstructed so that emergency personnel can find your home quickly when needed.
- If you decide to install an alarm system, consider one that is monitored for burglary, fire and medical emergencies.
- If you live in a retirement home, ensure you have communication with the guard at the main gate.
Also read:
“I’m sorry” – armed thug apologises to victim during robbery
Man met byl gekap toe hy visvang plek soek
