Three house robberies were reported to Brakpan police in 24 hours, all on Wednesday.
According to information received from the local SAPS, the first took place at an address in Talbot Street, Brakpan North.
After being awakened by a noise at 02:10, the homeowner got up to investigate. He saw, through the sitting room window two men outside and screamed to alert his wife to call the police. Both men, who were armed with guns, then entered the house.
They forced the couple into the bedroom where they ordered them to sit on the bed. The robbers took the pair’s cellphones, a jewellery box and laptops. They then took the husband to another part of the house where they ordered him to disconnect the TV, speakers and a DVD player.
He was also instructed to pull his car, a Suzuki Swift, out of the garage and park it outside near the front door. The husband was then told to load the looted items into the vehicle.
After this, the robbers raided the couple’s fridge and took all the groceries and meat. They then locked the couple inside the house and told the husband he should thank them for not hurting him or his wife. The robbers fled in the Suzuki. Other stolen items include shoes and a smart TV box.
The second robbery took place at a home in Stormberg Street, Leachville, at 13:30. A woman alone in the house was asleep when she was awakened by a stranger touching her.
The victim is a detective at the Brakpan Police Station – something the intruder was aware of as he asked her at which police station she was stationed. The man covered her head with a pillow and took her cellphone.
The TV in the bedroom, as well as another in the house, along with another cellphone and a router, were taken. The victim only saw one man but heard footsteps in the house.
After hearing the intruders leave, the victim ran outside and saw a grey Kia driving away. Entry into the house was gained by forcing open the locked kitchen door and security gate.
Later that evening, house robbers targeted a residence in Braemer Street, Dalview. There were at least five perpetrators, one of whom was a woman. They entered the house at around 20:00 by damaging the front door.
The three people inside the house were threatened at gunpoint and taken to the kitchen, where they were warned not to try anything ‘funny’. The robbers fled with a laptop, a TV, a computer tower and screen, a hairdryer, a cellphone, a tablet, personal documents, alcohol, a cashbox, clothes and jewellery.
While Brakpan SAPS confirmed that house robberies are on the rise in town, they added that many of these crimes are opportunistic.
Residents can play an important part in preventing home robberies by taking simple, precautionary measures:
• Know all emergency numbers.
• Don’t leave your gates, garage, front or back door open or partially open. Windows, especially those facing the street, should be closed, even during warm weather.
• Never open the door automatically whenever the bell rings or if someone knocks.
Domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers who act as delivery men, repairmen, electricians, plumbers, TV licence or municipality inspectors and many other professions.
To gain entrance, robbers use a cellphone and make it as if they are talking to the owner of the house to put pressure on unsuspecting victims to open the gate or door.
Those remaining at home should be made aware of these scams.
Arrange with people who remain at home on how you will inform them if there is a need for them to open the house for deliveries, maintenance work or repairs.
Always use the same procedure and inform the companies involved that they will not gain access unless you have made a specific arrangement.
• A dog is a good early warning system, especially small dogs kept inside the house at night. Large dogs should be visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers. The unexplainable death of a dog is a warning sign of possible burglary or robbery.
• If your house alarm goes off or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark, switch on the outside lights.
• Always check the identity of strangers who visit for business purposes to do deliveries or repairs. Ensure you stay out of their reach to prevent being grabbed through a closed gate.
• When employing someone, request their identity document and make a copy thereof for safekeeping. Check their previous employment references and do security clearances at the police.
• Instal the best security you can afford, especially security gates on outside doors. Keep these gates locked. If possible, fix a door viewer and latch chain.
• When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car, ensure it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance. Do not leave keys in a hidden place for domestic staff or children, robbers often stake out a house and will find out about these hiding places. Do not give keys to people who do not live on the property or to anyone if it is not absolutely necessary.
• Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support. When going away, inform them.
• It is always best to arrange with persons living in the same street as you to be ready at all times to come to the rescue of one another in dangerous or suspicious times. Exchange phone numbers or signalling methods when you find yourself in distress. Your strength always lies in how many people can support you in an emergency.
• If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags — a branded box is a telltale sign of what robbers could find in your house.
• Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.
• Store your firearms in a safe.
Suspicious-looking people, vehicles and activities must be reported to the police immediately.
For emergencies or to report a crime, call 10111 or the Brakpan Police Station on 011 744 7100.
