Somerset West police are investigating three separate incidents, including a business robbery, theft and home invasion that occurred over the past two weeks.
The most recent incident took place on Thursday evening (28 November) at a convenience store in Naauwlands Road, Sir Lowry’s Pass. Security footage shows two men, one armed with a firearm, entering the store at around 21:00 as shopkeepers prepared to close. The armed suspect forced two shopkeepers to the ground before focusing on the cash register.
A third suspect entered shortly after retrieving an assault rifle from a bag. Another shopkeeper was forced to the ground and struck on the head as the suspects emptied the cash register.
“The suspects took cash and several other items,” said Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, Somerset West police spokesperson.
Jantjies confirmed a case of business robbery was under investigation, but no arrests had been made.
Last Tuesday (26 November) a 34-year-old Macassar man appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on charges of theft and possession of stolen property. The suspect allegedly entered a Heldervue home through an open door on Sunday (24 November) and stole a laptop.
Officers patrolling the area around 17:00 spotted a man acting suspiciously with a black laptop bag.
“The suspect was questioned and could not provide proof of ownership,” said Jantjies.
The laptop was later confirmed to belong to a 64-year-old victim. “The Somerset West police have opposed bail for the suspect,” said Colonel Jacolize Fleischmann, Somerset West Police Station commander.
On Thursday 21 November, a 33-year-old woman and her husband were tied up during a house robbery in Bredell Road, Somerset West.
The victim said she awoke to find four balaclava-clad suspects armed with knives and a golf stick in her bedroom around 03:00. She and her spouse were restrained while the suspects ransacked their home. During the ordeal one of the victims managed to grab a suspect’s firearm and fire a warning shot, causing them to flee, albeit with valuables.
“A case of house robbery is under investigation, and no arrests have been made,” said Jantjies.
Police have urged residents to secure their homes and businesses and report suspicious activity.
