Elderly couple assaulted and robbed in their home.
Brixton police have charged two suspects with house robbery, possession of stolen property and assault with grievous bodily harm after a recent house robbery incident in Melville.
According to the station’s spokesperson, Jeanette Backhoff, the two suspects were handed over by security officers who had responded to a request for assistance by a neighbour who had heard a woman screaming. Upon their arrival the officers found the elderly couple injured in their home.
Backhoff added, “The couple informed the security officers that two males in their 20s gained access to their house and demanded money from the owner of the house. The second suspect went to the second floor of the house were his wife was found. She was dragged down the stairs and instructed to sit next to her husband where they were both assaulted.”
Shortly before the arrival of the officers, one of the suspects tied up the couple and they both fled the scene on foot with valuables belonging to the couple. The officers were able to get a detailed description of the suspects and pursued the suspects in the direction they were believed to be heading.
Backhoff explained, “While driving on 6th Avenue they spotted two young males fitting the description given by the victims. They stopped the two suspects and asked to search them and found two Apple iPhones, a Fossil watch and a gold cross in their possession.”
Police arrived at the scene and transported the suspects to the station where the complainant positively identified the items with an estimated value of R50 000 found in the suspects’ possession. The elderly couple was taken to hospital for their injuries.
Brixton Police Station Commander Colonel Mkhacani Maluleke applauded the security officers and thanked them for their efforts. “The police and the security companies in the area are working closely together to stop criminal activities. This is a good example of the security company’s commitment in the fight against crime.”
He hopes to see these relationships continue to lead to crime successes and reduced criminal activity in the precinct.