FOUR siblings and their domestic worker were held up during a robbery at their home in Sunningdale on Tuesday night.
Six armed men, wearing balaclavas, entered the Fernlea Road property after they forced open the front gate and the sliding door at approximetly 7pm.
The men reportedly held the victims at gun point as they ransacked the home. They fled the scene in a silver double cab with a flat screen television, a laptop and jewellery. Two of the siblings were minors.
Haden Searles, of the Durban North uMhlanga CPF, said that a similar vehicle had been used to commit crimes in Umbilo and that they suspect the crimes were committed by the same suspects.
Lt Raymond Deokoran, Duban North SAPS spokesperson, also said that it was the second home robbery in two days, where the domestic worker was held up. The previous incident occurred on Carlilse Crescent on Monday Morning.
Three men forced their way into the property and beat up the domestic worker, who was taking care of an infant, while the ailing mother was sleeping in her bedroom. Reports claimed that the men snatched the baby from the domestic worker’s arms, and laid her on the ground before assaulting the terrified woman.
“The criminals often buzz the the intercom to determine if anyone is home, and if the person at the home is alone. We are warning domestic workers not to open the gate or front door if they are not expecting anyone. They are urged to contact police, the security company or the owners,” said Deokoran.
Brian Jackson, Blue Security operations manager, advised residents to install cost effective anti-gate-crashing sensor’s to external gates to ensure an early warning system.
