Four armed men forcefully entered the home of a family in Roosevelt Park, just after 8am on 28 June. The robbers also held up plumbers who were working on the property in Mendelssohn Road.
Resident Neville Pillay said the whole incident happened in a matter of minutes. The gate was open because the plumbers were working on the property, which is how the robbers initially gained entry in a silver Mercedes Benz.
“The robbers came into the house carrying their firearms and asked for jewellery and other valuables. My wife was in the shower and was told to get dressed. They came into the bedroom, I then showed them where the jewellery was and they filled a pillow case with the jewellery,” said Pillay.
He describes how the plumbers were also brought into the bedroom and were also tied up with a cable tie. The robbers then proceeded to take other valuables such as the electronics. The whole incident took ten to 15 minutes.
A vigilant passerby noticed suspicious activity and made a video recording as the robbers were leaving the property in their getaway car.
“We just moved into this house a month ago. This is not the first time we have been burgled but the first in this home. The response from the police was slow but so far they have been helpful,” said Pillay.
The plumber who would like to remain anonymous said he didn’t know what to expect during the robbery and was relieved no one got hurt.
Sophiatown police spokesperson Warrant Officer TJ de Bruyn said the robbers saw an opportunity when they spotted the plumbers working outside the house on the pipes, with the gate open.
“No one was injured during the robbery and no shots were fired. A case of robbery was opened at the Sophiatown police. Residents should be more vigilant and should report any suspicious activity taking place in their community to the police or the neighbourhood watch,” said De Bruyn.
The case is still under investigation.
