Statement issued by: Vanderbijlpark Communication Officer – Enquiries Sgt Gertrude Makhale
A well informed and empowered community is what we, as Vanderbijlpark SAPS, strive towards, as we keep fighting the good fight against crime. Such a well-informed community is more alert and detour criminals. The following weekend crime trends were reported.
CRIME IN GENERAL
Crime in general over the weekend has decreased although our hijackings increased a little.
Attempted murder
Occurred in CE6 suspect came to the charge office to report an incident that took place in Edison Boulevard in CE6 where he alleged that he as busy with safety precautions of the firearm when the firearm went off and shot one of his colleagues. This must come as the warning to all the firearm users that safety measures of the firearm, a person must be very cautious especially when there are bystanders around make sure that the finger is off the trigger at all times no matter what. As a person will face a case of attempted murder will be opened by SAPS and a person has to be charged and it must be proven in the court of law the intentions.
Business robbery
Took place in NW7 security guard was overpowered by four (4) unknown suspects, one (1) suspect pointed the victim with a firearm forced him to open the gate for them. Suspects loaded steel into the mini-truck and fled the scene. regard to this incident police are looking for suspects travelling in a mini truck, business owners must train their security guards not to approach unknown suspects or vehicles without verifying with the owners or alerting security companies and police.
House robbery
Happened in SE7 in the early hours of 02:00 in one of the students houses, victim was woken up by the sound of the window being broken, when she went to check the suspect produced a knife threatened her and fled the scene with the victims laptop, cell phone and cash .
2nd incident happened hours later after the 1st incident at about 04:00 in one of the student houses in SE7 victim was woken up by three (3) unknown suspects; one in position of a knife instructed the victim to keep quite while they took her laptop, cell phone and fled. SAPS is asking the landlords or the students to make sure that their student houses are secured by means of security doors and butler’s installed on the windows as this could give students a chance to be able to escape or get assistance before the suspects can enter their premises. To have an emergency group chat or whistles so that when something is wrong they can blow a whistle to alert other students, criminals will not win if they can have some sort of crime prevention measures at their residential.
Robbery aggravating
Happened in CW2 at about 22:00 victim was busy closing the gate when he was approached by two unknown suspects one pointed him with a firearm, other one hit him with an unknown object and robbed him his car keys and cell phones. Suspects are still at large.
Robbery without a firearm and common robbery Took place in the CBD victim was hit at the back of the head with an unknown object, suspect grabbed the handbag and fled, in the bag there was a cell phone. 2nd incident took place in SW1 unknown suspect approached the victim threatened to stab her with a knife and took the victims cell phone. 3rd incident two common robberies took place in the CBD suspects grabbed bags from victims and fled the scene in the bags there is groceries, cell phones, laptop and cash.
House breakings
Affected CW area, Bophelong and SE area electrical appliances such as TV’s, laptop, DVD player, electrical tools, lawnmowers, trimmers, copper pipes, taps and clothing were stolen.
Carjacking
A Toyota condor was hijacked in Bonanne victim picked up three (3) unknown suspects in Vereeniging who needed transport to Bonanne when one of the suspects withdrew a firearm cocked it and instructed the driver to U-turn, victim tried to escape suspect shot, caught him and assaulted him, robbed him his shoes, cash and a cell phone fled with the Toyota Condor of the victim the vehicle was later recovered in Vanderbijlpark CW3. 2nd incident took place in Bophelong victim was blocked by five (5)unknown suspects who were travelling in a van two (2)suspects were armed with firearms hijacked the victims VW Golf and took his cell phones victim was dropped in an unknown area.
Theft of motor vehicle
Charcoal BMW was stolen in the CBD in General Hertzog Street, black Big Boy scooter stolen in CW2, white Toyota Hilux single cab van stolen in CW3, silver Mercedes Benz stolen in CW4, red Big Boy scooter stolen in CW5, gold Toyota Corolla stolen in CW6, white Toyota Hilux van stolen in SE2 and black Suzuki motorcycle stolen in SW2.
Successes
Vanderbijlpark SAPS has managed to arrest a total of 22 people over the weekend for various crimes. 1 person for pointing of firearm, 1 for intoxication, 4 people for possession of drugs, 4 people for Drunk and Driving, 2 for assault to cause grievous bodily harm, 1 for assault common D\V related, 2 for contempt of court, 2 people for shoplifting, 2 for theft, 2people for malicious damage to property, and 1 for possession of suspected stolen property.
