Residents are warned to be on the lookout for a white Toyota Quantum with four male occupants who are allegedly breaking in to various houses.
Apparently, the Quantum has been doing the rounds in Witpoortjie, identifying houses to break into.
One resident, who did not want to be identified said, “On Thursday, 23 August, at about 1pm, they broke into my house. They locked my helper in one of the bedrooms while they ransacked the house before making off with electronic equipment and appliances. I believe that on Friday they broke into a house in Van Enselen Street,” he said.
The councillor for Ward 71, René Benjamin, provided the following tips to residents:
If you are on the go …
Communicate your whereabouts to family and friends. Be aware of your surroundings. Always walk briskly and where possible, not alone, when you are out and about.
Conceal all valuables and only carry what you need. Stick to heavily populated and busy streets. Avoid unsolicited offers of help at ATMs and when you leave, observe whether anyone is following you. When meeting someone for the first few times, consider meeting him or her at a public location instead of at home.
When returning home, be cautious. If you suspect you are being followed, pull into the neatest garage and inform them of your fear, or find the nearest police station.
Always keep an eye on your rearview mirror when approaching home, your destination or stop streets and traffic lights. If in doubt, drive past your destination, find a busy place and get someone to meet you there.
If you see anything out of the ordinary, call for help.
Children walking from school should conceal their cellphones. You could become a target, especially if you are wearing earphones. Use one only, so that you can hear what is going on around you.
At home
Examine your locks, door frames and window frames to ensure they are secure. Use a wooden dowel or metal bar placed in the floor rails of sliding doors and windows so they cannot be pried open. Keep the house locked, even if you are home. Your security gates are there for a reason – keep them closed.
Never drive away from your gate until you are sure it has closed. Be cautious about opening your gate or the door to unknown visitors. Consider using timer lights when you are at work or out of town, to give the impression that someone is home.
Consider a security system for protection for your home if you can afford it. Also ensure that your security system, and electric fence are correctly installed and covering vulnerable areas.
Use the following numbers in the event of an emergency:
JMPD/ Fire and EMS – 011 375 5911
Police – 079 892 9856 (uniformed officers)
Illegal dumping – 082 779 1361
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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