A WESTVILLE couple’s swift response during an attempted home invasion at their neighbour’s house led to the apprehension of one of the four men.
Speaking to the Highway Mail on the condition of anonymity, the daughter of the couple, who reside in Rockdale Avenue, Berea West, said her parents ran to help their neighbour after she contacted them and requested help.
“My parents were inside their home making dinner on Wednesday at 6pm. Their tenant, whose cottage adjoins their house, was also at home, and her puppy was outside.
“The tenant heard her puppy barking and her parrots shrieking, so she went outside to put her puppy back inside. This is when she saw four men approaching her from the corner of the garden.
“She picked up the dog, ran inside and slammed the security gate. All four men approached the door and started banging on it. The tenant fled to the bedroom, locked herself in and phoned my parents.
“My dad, who is 67 years old, grabbed his firearm from the safe and both my parents ran out the door to help the tenant.
“My dad ran around the side of the house, and the men were still at the tenant’s security door. He shouted at them and they tried to flee.
“He chased them through the garden, firing two warning shots into the ground to get them to stop. Three of the men unfortunately made it over the fence, but one of them was still trying to climb the fence when my dad caught up to him.
“My dad pulled him off the fence and made him lie face-down on the ground. My mom then called SACAN to ask for assistance. My parents tied the intruder’s hands behind his back with cables ties while they waited for the police to arrive.”
According to Sergeant Stephen Clark of the Westville SAPS, the station has noted a sharp rise in housebreakings in the Berea West since March this year.
Clark added that detectives are confident that the man nabbed by the pensioner is the same suspect who is linked to several of the incidents in that area, including the killing of a Westville resident. Police are on a manhunt for his accomplices.
“It must be noted that since that arrest the area has been quiet, with no more cases reported over the weekend. The suspect will appear in court soon and is expected to be remanded into custody while the investigation is wound up.
“We sincerely hope that this means we have cracked the back of this little gang that has terrorised the community. Investigations continue and it is our intention to bring all the suspects to justice,” said Clark.
