Honeydew SAPS crime briefs

House robbery: Weltevreden Park
On March 19 at about 10.15am a 77 year old man, was at his residence when he noticed an unknown man in his yard. The complainant went outside to enquire why the person was in his yard.

The unknown man informed the complainant that he was looking for work, when suddenly another man jumped over the wall. The complainant was forced back into the house where they tied him up with electrical cable.

The suspects ransacked the house loading all their loot into the complainant’s vehicle, a red Mazda 323. The suspects could not start the vehicle and fetched the complainant to start the vehicle for them after which they fled the scene.

House robbery: Randpark Ridge
On March 19 at about 5.45pm the a man was asleep with his wife when it is alleged that three unknown armed men entered through an open window. The suspects took the complainant’s firearm, which was lying next to him.

They then tied them up, ransacked the house and took various household and personal property before fleeing the scene on foot.

Cluster TRIO Task team successes and arrests:
Five suspects for house robberies
One suspect for hi-jacking
Two suspects for business robberies
One suspect for house breaking and theft
Convictions: Two suspects were convicted on charges of house robbery and kidnapping and sentenced to: 15 years for the house robbery and 5 years for the kidnapping.

Safety while away from home or on holiday:
- When leaving on holiday with a trailer or caravan, leave your home at a time when the street you live in is quiet- thus attracting the attention of less people to the fact that your dwelling will be empty.
- Consider storing valuables at your place of work while you are away on leave.
- Do not leave lights on during the day.
- Do not leave any garden tools or ladders lying around outside your house or flat.
- If possible ensure that the locks on outside doors are 4-lever locks.
- Arrange with friends to frequently visit your house while you are away on holiday.
- Ensure that those persons who are tasked to look after your residence know how the alarm operates and that they know whom to contact in case of an emergency.
- To avoid your home from looking deserted, install a timer to keep some lights burning at night while you are away.