THE notorious balaclava gang have come back to life following a family’s long ordeal during a house robbery in Effingham recently.
Lt Elvis Naidoo, spokesman for the Greenwood Park SAPS, said Reservist W/O Gopal Chetty, responded to a house robbery in the area on 11 January just after 8pm. “It is believed four to five men, wearing balaclavas, entered the family’s home, held them up, stole a TV, jewellery and other goods and threatened to kill them. But thanks to W/O Chetty’s quick response the gang was interrupted and fled the scene,” Lt Naidoo said.
Last year, five men, who were believed to be from the ang, were arrested; “We don’t believe it’s the same men, as they are still in police custody, but it could be another gang with the same modus operandi,” he added.
Lt Naidoo and the management at Greenwood Park Police Station thanked W/O Chetty for his quick action and dedication; “W/O Chetty has been a reservist for the station for more than 20 years. Whenever there is a serious crime incident, and there aren’t any other officers available, W/O Chetty will always help. In fact, he’s been so good to the station that the station commander gave W/O Chetty a police car to use for his patrols in the Effingham, Avoca, Red Hill and Greenwood Park areas at night.”
“A lot of people have been arrested and cases solved thanks to W/O Chetty’s hard work and commitment,” he said.