Police confirmed that on 5 May three college students between the ages of 19 and 21 were arrested and charged for a house robbery.
According to Joburg Central police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele the station’s trio crime detectives were able to locate the suspects and arrested them in Auckland Park. Mbele said, “It is alleged that the suspects robbed an apartment in Newtown on the 2 May 2021… The victim, a 20-year-old college student, was in his flat when the suspects came in. They threatened him demanding money for a previously broken window and took his appliances including a microwave, two irons and a kettle.”
Investigations in the matter were currently underway with the suspects expected to appear in court soon.
Police also shared the following safety and security tips for students to use to reduce the chances of being victims of crime:
House robberies:
- Always be on the lookout for suspicious persons and vehicles
- Enhance security through fitting access doors with security gates and install burglar bars on windows
- Request neighbours to keep an eye when you go away for an extended period
- Do not open gates and doors for strangers
- Verify the identity of domestic/garden workers before employing them
- Authenticate contractors before you allow them access to your premises.
Safety tips for students:
- Do not travel with your valuable jewellery, accessories or electronics
- Walk as a group of people as opposed to alone, there’s safety in numbers
- Do not accept lifts from strangers
- Do not walk with your headphones/earphones exposed.
Safety tips to prevent contact crimes:
- Do not carry too much money when going to drinking places
- Do not carry weapons when attending social gatherings
- Do not share drinks with people you do not know
- Avoid confrontation when under the influence of alcohol
- Do not leave your drink unattended.
Safety tips at shopping centres:
- Do not ask for help from strangers at ATMs
- Do not allow strangers to help you at ATMs
- Do not display money in public.
