Two gangs of robbers are currently operating in Grahamstown, according to police. Grahamstown Police on Tuesday 25 August said they had received information indicating that two different groups are working the town.
Two gangs of robbers are currently operating in Grahamstown, according to police. Grahamstown Police on Tuesday 25 August said they had received information indicating that two different groups are working the town.
This follows a series of robberies in the town during the past three weeks.
"From the information we have received, it has been determined that there are two different groups operating," Grahamstown Crime Intelligence Officer Captain Milanda Coetzer said.
"One group operate in the early hours of the morning and the other group is operating later in the day.
"Although CCTV footage is available to confirm the descriptions given by victims, it will still be necessary to confirm the suspects via facial recognition," said Coetzer.
She said the suspects are estimated to be 18 to 30 in age, thin and of medium weight.
Their heights are estimated to be between 1.65m and 1.75m. In the most recent incident, on Saturday 22 August, an elderly man was stabbed at his upper Market Street home.
The attack, in which the man was robbed of his cellphone, was carried out around 2.30pm.
This was the third attack in the Sunnyside area, which police say is currently being targeted by criminals.
Senior police met on Monday 24 August to discuss a plan to tackle the robberies that have spiked in recent weeks.
"Several matters of concern were highlighted and discussed in detail in that planning meeting where SAPS Grahamstown, various departments within the SAPS and Hi-Tec were present," Coetzer said.
"The matters of greatest concern and information to be acted on, included the fact that all the victims of the house robberies, bar the last two, were young women under 30 years of age.
"In all the robberies the suspects took cellphones and laptops, except in the last two robberies.
"The last two robberies saw a 66-year-old woman and 73-year-old man become the victims of what is suspected to be two suspects, both young, adult black males," said Coetzer.
The two victims are reported to be not fully recovered but the 73-year-old was already back working in his garden by Monday afternoon.
Police said most of the robberies occurred in the mornings between 5am and 7am, except the last two, which occurred between midday and 3pm.
Coetzer said possible outlets for these phones and laptops had been identified in their meeting.
"We would like to thank suggestions made via the Sunnyside Neighbourhood Watch group members for this information," Coetzer said. "Two shops were identified to be investigated."
A Sunnyside resident who wanted to remain anonymous complimented the police and security work.
"Over the past few days I have seen police and security vehicles patrolling around and that shows that they are serious on the matter of crime in this area," said the resident.
STAY SAFE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, AND AT HOME:
Tips from Colonel Vivian Tembani and Captain Milanda Coetzer
Secure your home:
- Secure doors and windows properly at night, and don’t leave unguarded doors open during the day.
- Making sure you have armed your alarm before going to bed if you have one.
- Always keeping a emergency number on speed dial. Ie 10 111 or your security company’s armed response. Be clear and coherent when providing details of address should you need to phone and give details of where you are and what has happened.
If someone does break in while you're at home:
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Identify a safe room or area in the house and stay there undetected if possible.
- In the event of being confronted by intruders, please stay calm. Do not resist the intruders. However, take the time to calm your mind and note as many details as possible about your intruders. Not there language, mannerisms and clothes, but particularly try and find a clear distinguishing feature on their faces or bodies. Sometimes a tattoo may be visible or there may be a birthmark, spot, mole or scarring.
- As soon as the intruders leave, immediately make contact with the SAPS if you were not able to do so before. Please do not touch anything in the house as this may hamper the collection of evidence.
General neighbourhood safety:
- If someone comes to your door or front gate, don’t open for them unless you know who they are.
- If you see strangers loitering in your neighbourhood, share the information with your neighbours through a neighbourhood alert system, such as a WhatsApp group, and thepolice.
- Sunnyside residents who would like to join the Sunnyside Buurtwag group should send a text to Captain Milanda Coetzer at 082 253 4308.
Keep track of your electronics:
- It is important for the SAPS to be able to trace stolen property. In order to do so we will need serial numbers of property. It is always wise to have a pad in your home where all the serial numbers and IMEI numbers(cellphones) are listed in the event that property is stolen. It is also important to blacklist a phone forthwith in order to hamper the sale and circulation thereof.
