The chair of the Parow Community Policing Forum (CPF) says he wants to inform residents that anyone can be a victim of crime.
This comes after Shakir Smith, CPF chair, was robbed at his house recently while busy in his garage.
“I was sitting in the garage working on a friend of mine’s motorbike. One of the patrollers had just stopped by to say ‘hi’. He left and that is when I noticed a car about five minutes later drive down the road, slowly past my house.
“I did not think anything of it and continued to work on the bike. The next thing, these two guys ran into the garage and they were on top of me.
“I was sitting down on a little chair, and the one guy pushed me. He grabbed hold of me and said ‘give me your money’. Then I saw the gun in the other guy’s hand.
“I grabbed the one guy and I pulled him towards me so that in case his friend’s shoots, he has to shoot his buddy first.
“I smacked him with a bottle, they both ran out of the garage and I saw them jump into a car.
“At first, I did not think they got away with anything, but unfortunately they got away with my cellphone. I ran inside to the house and asked my wife to give me her phone.
“I reported it on the street watch and within seconds a couple of the patrollers arrived. The community stood together. They gave me some backup. We went out and looked for the guys and found their car, but unfortunately they got away,” says Smith.
Case reported to the police
He passed on all the information to the police. The case is being investigated by the police’s crime intelligence, as well as a local detective.
“At this point, as far as I know, no arrests have yet been made. They have picked up one of the suspects for questioning.”
Smith continues to work on the motorbike.
“I am not going to be intimidated by any criminal or any thief.”
He also thanked the patrol members in the community who he says did an absolutely awesome job.
“Our community members who are involved in the different street watches and the patrol group actually do an amazing job, so thanks to them we were able to respond rather quickly.”
Smith says the criminals were opportunists who took advantage of a situation.
“I am a little bit more prepared for them this time,” says Smith.
Smith supplied TygerBurger with the case number. The Parow police have not yet responded to questions.
