Update

GEORGE NEWS - The police are looking for two suspects after an attempted house robbery and assault on Wednesday 6 February in Glen Barrie.

According to George police communications officer Captain Nolonwabu Tshengu, two men fled the scene in Arbour Road after entering a house and assaulting the owner, Hans van Ginkel (55).

"They gained access through a partially open sliding door at approximately 07:20 while the victim was in his bedroom. The victim was alerted by his barking dog, after which he found the two suspects inside his house," Tshengu said.

The suspects were armed with knives and were wearing hoodie tops and beanies, with slits to see through, pulled over their faces.

Van Ginkel said he opened the door for the dog to go outside. "I normally wait for her to come back in, but she was taking too long so I went to my room. After a while I heard her barking and found the two suspects in my house."

A confrontation ensued and Van Ginkel, a former senior police officer, was forced to fight for his life. "They heard me coming, but didn't run away. Instead of running they attacked me."

Van Ginkel picked up a dining room chair to defend himself. "I started poking and pushing them with the chair until I shoved them outside." Once they were outside he ran towards his bedroom, but the men returned with bricks. "They didn't intend to flee. Their intention was to attack."

This time around he grabbed a heavier chair and again fended them off. They fled the scene on foot.

In a Facebook post Van Ginkel commended the George police and the local neighbourhood watch on their reaction time and the support they offered him after the ordeal.

"We cannot allow this to happen. I urge people to join their neighbourhood watches, to be more vigilant and to look out for each other."

Anyone with information can contact Sergeant Rico Beukes on 044 803 4714 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Read a previous article here| Attack in ARbour Road: Suspects still at large

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