A SECURITY company is encouraging residents to have a ‘safe room’ and to be vigilant after a Gillitts Park man was assaulted during a home invasion on Wednesday, 6 February.
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Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios, said the Tudor Road resident went to his home’s front security gate after his independent unmonitored alarm activated, indicating the presence of an intruder in the yard, at around 2.30pm.
“When he went to the front door one of the suspects asked him for help and then managed to grab hold of him and threatened him, saying he would kill him if he did not open up the security gate,” Mathios said.
“The resident managed to grab his keys and opened the security gate. Two suspects, one of them wearing a blue overall, entered the property. They took the resident into the lounge where they assaulted him and tied him up before locking him in the bathroom. The suspects demanded firearms and jewellery from him.”
” The suspects fled the scene on foot with a laptop, jewellery and cellphones, ” Mathios said.
Mathios said the suspects were not armed.
Mathios advised residents to be vigilant and to press a panic alarm and lock themselves in a ‘safe room’ if they suspect intruders have gained entry onto the property.
“The ‘safe room’ should be equipped with a spare cellphone and a remote panic button so you can call for help. Never attempt to go to the door or out into the garden to investigate, especially if your alarm has been activated.
“Similarly, if a stranger approaches your gate asking for ‘help’ be vigilant and do not venture too near. Never stand close to the gate where suspects can make physical contact or point a firearm at you,” Mathios said.
Hilcrest SAPS attended the scene of the crime.
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