Home invaders escape in police van
February 18 2015 at 02:37pm
By ISMAIL ADAM and SIHLE MLAMBO
By ISMAIL ADAM and SIHLE MLAMBO
DAILY
NEWS
Police comb the scene where an armed robbery was
foiled by alert officers when four men invaded the home of an 84-year-old woman
and her daughter. Photo: Marilyn Bernard
Durban - An 84-year-old woman and her daughter were rescued from a home
invasion in Overport by alert police on Tuesday – but two robbers escaped in a
marked police van.
Mayville police officers, Sergeant RajendraSeethal and Constable
Emmanuel Sosibo, were on patrol at about midday when they heard an alarm sound
on Harbottle Road.
The officers were shot at by two men, who ran away. One was caught and
arrested.
SAPS spokesman, Major ThulaniZwane, said while this was happening, the
officers had not been aware there were two suspects still on the property.
It is believed they stole the van while the police chased the men.
Zwane said it was “unclear” how the robbers had got hold of the van
keys.
The Mercedes-Benz used in the robbery. Photo:
Marilyn BernardDAILY NEWS
He said four armed men had arrived at the home in a grey Mercedes Benz
with false number plates that had been hijacked in Morningside last month.
The suspects abandoned the van in Valley View Road in Morningside, where
they hijacked an Opel Corsa from a woman.
“Police are still pursuing three suspects.”
Zwane said he was aware the police van had been fired at and had bullet
holes and a punctured tyre, but said he was not aware when this happened
Zwane said the arrested suspect would be charged with robbery, attempted
murder and theft of motor vehicle.
The 35-year-old daughter, who asked not to be named, said it was the
second time her home had been invaded this year. Last month their home had been
ransacked by criminals when she was away.
She said on Tuesday’s robbery “all happened so fast”, and she feared for
her life when she saw two men enter through the gate. They forced their way
into the house through a locked front door, she said.
“When I realised what was going on, I took my mom and I locked her
bedroom door and pressed the panic button immediately. They tried to come
upstairs and the next thing I saw police arrive outside so fast.
“The police were very quick because we didn’t even get in contact with
the robbers, but we knew they were in the house and I think they were coming
for the master bedroom because you could hear the footsteps,” she said.
The woman said soon after the police arrived she heard gunshots outside
and within moments the ordeal was over.
The woman said the experience was “very scary” and her elderly mother
was deeply traumatised.
“We would really like to thank the police officers because I believe
they saved our lives. Everybody is shocked by what happened: if the police did
not arrive when they did, I really don’t know what would have happened,” she
said.
A TV was found next to the Mercedes-Benz, she said.
Daily News
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/home-invaders-escape-in-police-van-1.1820266
