A 85-year-old man from Linden is still recovering from injuries he suffered when he was robbed of his bicycle in Emmarentia. Albert de Prehaudet said he suffered a gruesome attack from two men who robbed him of his bicycle while he was doing his usual morning cycle training. “I don’t know why they attacked me like that. They pushed me violently to the ground before punching me with fists while I was lying on the ground. I suffered severe internal bruises.”
De Prehaudet explained that he had been cycling along the same route for more than 20 years and always believed that it was a safe route. “Usually there are cars travelling on the route, but on the day of my attack it was very quiet as these criminals started and finished their evil deed without a single car passing by.”
According to De Prehaudet, the incident occurred on Hill Road in Emmarentia, close to Mark’s Park just before 6am. “I think because winter is slowly coming, criminals are beginning to target cyclists,” said Prehaudet.
The 85-year-old said he wanted to make many cyclists, who use the roads around Emmarantia Dam, aware of thugs patrolling the area. “We are easy targets – especially, if you are riding toward Judith Road uphill all the way and therefore too slow to attempt a getaway,” warned De Prehaudet.
He said the alleged robbers drove an old, dark blue Toyota. “I want people to become aware of the risk involved and to take evasive action if they come across that vehicle,” concluded De Prehaudet.
He said the criminals left him lying helplessly in the middle of the road and he had to crawl out of the road as he could not walk. “I was helped by a young man who said he was from a prayer session from a mosque and drove me home.” De Prehaudet said the young man saw that something was wrong with him as he was lying down with his cyclist’s gear. He said he opened a case at Parkview Police Station and police are still to comment on the matter.
