GEORGE NEWS - Police are still hunting down various perpetrators involved in four separate armed robberies targeting two homes, a caravan and a business in George last week.
On Tuesday evening, 10 August, a pub in the York Mall was robbed and on Friday 13 August, two families fell prey to armed robbers, while an intruder died after a scuffle with the occupant of the caravan he allegedly entered illegally.
10 robbers in home
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Chris Spies, the first robbery on Friday occurred at approximately 02:30 at a house in Blue Mountain Village Residential Estate.
It is believed that the victim and his family went to bed at about 22:00 on Thursday night and were woken up by a group of no less than 10 men inside their home. One of the men had a firearm.
The robbers threatened the 41-year-old victim and stabbed him with a sharp object, possibly a screwdriver. "They took an undisclosed amount of money, various cellphones and jewellery before they fled. The victim sustained a stab wound to his hand," said Spies.
The estate manager of Blue Mountain, Pieter Schoeman, confirmed the incident and said access was gained by digging underneath the electric fence on the north-western boundary.
"After a preliminary investigation, it is the opinion of the board of directors that this was a planned incident. The targeted house is situated hundreds of meters from the point of entry and the perpetrators were in the residence for a lengthy period. Crime prevention in security estates is an ongoing process of being a step ahead of criminals to reduce the risk of crimes occurring. The board regrets this unfortunate incident and is expediting the process of further upgrading the security technology of Blue Mountain Village, to keep residents safe," he said.
Anyone with information that could assist the police to track down the suspects is requested to contact the Conville police station on 044 803 3300 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be treated confidentially.
The front entrance and security gate at Blue Mountain Village.
Intruder killed
In the second incident, a man, said to be armed with a knife, was killed during a scuffle with the occupant of a caravan in Laing Street at 04:20 on Sunday morning, 15 August. Read the article below.
Robbers flee in victim's car
The third incident occurred at a house in Rehoboth Road in Dormehlsdrift at about 06:40. According to Spies, the 31-year-old victim and his two children were approached by five men in their driveway while on the way to their car.
"The men forced the man and his children into the house after which they made off with two television sets, two cellphones and an undisclosed amount of money. They fled the scene with the victim's Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Thembalethu," said Spies.
George police station commander, Brigadier Nolan Michaels, urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. He gave the assurance that all information would be treated with utmost confidence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the George detectives on 044 803 4715 or 044 803 4744.
Business robbery in York Street
A pub in York Mall was robbed on Tuesday evening, 10 August when two of a group of five unidentified men who were having drinks and playing pool, accosted the manager and a security officer in the pub's office. One of the robbers was carrying a firearm and demanded money.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, the perpetrators made off with cash, a CCTV monitoring device and two cellphones after they tied up their victims with cable ties.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation officer, Sgt Andile Baxa of the George detectives, on 044 803 4715 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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