Attempted hijacking at residency

“I have never been so scared in my life,” says *Ann Andrews, a Newlands resident who was held at gunpoint in front of her residency on 28 October.

Andrews and her brother *Nicholas Clark were walking a friend out when two armed men approached.

“The guys pointed a gun at us and asked where the car keys were,” retold Andrews.

The car keys were already in the ignition as the trio stood outside saying their goodbyes.

“One of the guys pointed a gun at my brother as the other one tried to start the car.” she said.

According to Andrews, the pair became frustrated as the car would not start.

“They started pushing the car down the street but the frustration got to them and they started panicking. The one guy started shouting. I looked the one guy in the eye and asked him not to hurt us but take the car and go,” said Andrews.

The frustration built up as the car still wouldn’t start.

“At this point I was so scared that they would hurt us. I was praying that my two children in the house wouldn’t come out because, if they did, they could be shot,” she said.

Defeated by the car, the two thieves ran off to the corner of Kent Avenue, where a getaway car awaited them.

“I just want to warn Newlands residents. They should be very careful because this area is not safe anymore. They should be very careful with their cars and homes,” concluded Andrews.

The suspects had already fled the scene when ADT arrived.

Hijacking tips from Lansdowne South African Police Services

While parking or pulling into your driveway

• Check the driveway and street for suspicious pedestrians and parked cars with occupants. If you spot either, drive past and come back later.
• Keep your driveway well lit with no shrubs or places for perpetrators to hide.
• Get to know your neighbours and their vehicles and note when your pets change their habits as a perpetrator may have overpowered them.
• When arriving home late make sure the area is well lit and have someone meet you outside.
• If you need to open the gate yourself, switch off the car and exit.
• If you have young children, take the key out of the car as a bargaining tool and if you have older children let them exit the car with you in case a hijacker hits.
• Never sit in a stationary vehicle without being aware of your surroundings. Sleeping in a car is especially dangerous.
• If you are involved in a hijacking, arm your tracking device if applicable and report the incident to the nearest police station as soon as possible.
• Know the car make, model, colour, registration and VIN number, and have anything else that will be of help to track the vehicle down on hand at all times.
• Also keep pictures of your car on your computer for reference.