UPDATE: Two cuffed in Cowies Hill shooting
Residents are suffering from trauma following the robbery in Cowies Hill.
RESIDENTS in Cowies Hill are still shaken following a housebreaking which went viral on social media on Thursday, 26 January. According to reports, an elderly couple was attacked at their home by armed men in the early hours of morning. Both the man and woman were pistol-whipped.
According to the Westville North Cowies Valley Neighbourhood Watch, there were four robbers who split into two groups and made a run for it.
“Three guys are still at large but we are hopeful the arrest will lead us to the other three,” said a member of the neighbourhood watch, Michael van der Meulen.
The four men were also linked to a housebreaking in Rockhaven where a few items were stolen. The neighbourhood watch was alerted at about 4am and a chase ensued.
“The men were chased by the neighbourhood watch, security and SAPS and it seemed all four of them came from Cowies Top and split at Birdhurst. Two veered left and two turned right.
One passed through Birdhurst into Chelsea, and over walls into Churston. This is where the gun shots were heard between the security guard and one of the suspects. They then disappeared into the bush below Churston area. The arrest reported is linked to this incident,” said Kevin Bradfield of the watch.
Perseverance in holding observation by the neighbourhood members resulted in the sighting and the arrest in Otto Volek.
“We are really grateful to the SAPS and its Air Wing unit, Metro Police and the K9 Unit, they mobilised all the resources that were at their disposal. We would also like to thank the emergency services that tended to lady who was assaulted while the suspects were fleeing. The main injury was on her knee but she is fine now,” Van der Meulen added.
If you would like to join the Westville North Cowies Valley Neighbourhood Watch or call 060 715 0636.
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