Eblockwatch founder and Bryanston resident, André Snyman provided some insights into incidents of follow-home robberies and how you can stay safe. This is part of the weekly edition of How Secure Are You?, an online and print security feature in partnership with Sandton Chronicle and eblockwatch.
Snyman said the suspects use the same modus operandi on a consistent basis.
“They often work in teams. They have spotters inside and teams waiting outside.”
He said the crew targeting the centre do a ‘direct follow’ and hit the victims wherever they stop next. “Some of the victims are marked ahead of time, like when they go to the same restaurant on a consistent basis and the spotters can sell the information.”
He continued that they know this because of a few instances where the victim’s watch was not visible, but they were still followed and robbed.
Eblockwatch uses smart technology to track the criminals and create a crime hotspot in the area which notifies residents about the incidents on a map. “With our technology, we can pick up if a car has been travelling behind you after a few blocks and we are able to notify you of a possible follow-home.”
He added that it is vital for eblockwatch to hear about the incidents as fast as possible so that they can switch on their digital detectives. “We can use the data to create our haystack and then track the suspects.”
Snyman provided some advice:
- Don’t wear expensive watches in public
- Always take note of who drives behind you when you leave and when you are nearing your destination.
- Remember to always leave a space in front of you to get away wherever you stop
- Many robberies take place just after you stop driving, become aware of your surroundings when close to your destination
- Drive slowly past your gate if you have a car on your tail and make a loop if you want to make certain that you are not being tailed.
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