RESIDENTS are urged to be vigilant after a spate of armed robberies and hijackings were reported in the Highway area in recent weeks.
According to Blue Security’s managing director, Henk van Bemmelen, criminals ambushed motorists in their driveways and in the latest incident, an Ashley resident was allegedly hijacked when she arrived home before 11am on Saturday morning.
“The hijackers held her up at gunpoint and then fled with her car,” said Van Bemmelen. “The case was handed over to the Pinetown SAPS.”
In a separate incident, Westville residents had a lucky escape during an alleged home invasion last Friday evening.
“A gang of four men forced their way onto the premises as the residents were closing the front door. The gang held them up and forced them onto the lounge floor before fleeing in the resident’s car with jewellery, televisions, credit cards, ID books and keys,” said Van Bemmelen.
The residents were not seriously injured during the robbery and the case was handed over to the Westville SAPS.
Last Thursday three men held up a security guard in Severn Road in Westville.
“The gang then forced open a window to gain entry into the house and stole a DVD player,” he said.
A gang driving a white bakkie held up a truck driver at gunpoint in Trafford Road in Westmead and fled with furniture from the back of the truck recently.
“Two armed hijackers, in a white Toyota Corolla, held up a motorist in broad daylight in Zinnia Road in Kloof in her driveway. A Crestholme resident was also hijacked outside his property,” said Van Bemmelen.
“A motorist in New Germany also had a lucky escape when he got out of his car to close the gate and noticed three men approaching his car. He fled to the back of the property leaving his car to the hijackers.”
He urged motorists to remain vigilant when they arrive and leave their home and their offices as crime statistics revealed that this was one of the most vulnerable positions for motorists.
“Hijackings often occur in the early evening and in the morning but we have also noticed a trend in recent months where motorists have been targeted in their driveways at lunch time and early afternoon,” he said.
“We urge motorists to be security conscious at all times and especially when arriving and leaving properties.
“If there are any suspicious individuals or vehicles driving slowly or parked near your home rather take a drive around the block to be safe.”
Motorists were also advised to comply with hijackers to avoid injury in the event of an incident.
“Rather let the hijackers take your car, which can be replaced, than put up a fight and risk injury. If you have children in the car with you, tell the hijackers that they may have the car but that you will first take your children out of their seats,” said Van Bemmelen.
