The police in Bellville have urged the public to remain cautious as a spike in serious crime hits the area.
These crimes include house robberies and carjackings and vulnerable neighbourhoods include Lower Oakdale, Blommendal and Boston.
Capt Aubrey Morwenyane, spokesperson of the Bellville Police Station, says in one case, last Wednesday, an 82-year-old man was attacked by an unknown man.
“The elderly (man) was rescued by his ex-wife who arrived at the right time when the incident happened,” he says.
“As she arrived at home she heard someone screaming for help and as she approached the front door an unknown male ran out of the house. She then discovered her ex-husband in a pool of blood. He was taken to the nearest hospital.”
Nothing was taken from the house.
He urged residents to not open their doors to strangers.
No arrests have been made yet. Anyone with information is urged to call the police on 021 918 3000 or 1 0111.
In another case, which happened on the 14th, Boston residents came to the rescue of a woman after she was almost hijacked.
The incident happened at 08:40 when the suspect forced the woman out of her vehicle. He then locked himself in the vehicle, but when the vehicle failed to start, neighbours arrived on the scene and apprehended the suspect.
The police were called and the suspect was detained.
“Without community partnership the police cannot address crime alone. We continue to work hand in hand with the community,” Morwenyane says.
Numerous cases of theft in malls have also been reported. Morwenyane urges residents to take care of their valuables – especially cellphones, laptops, tablets and handbags.
A common occurence is when suspects “accidentally” bump into victims, pocketing their phones in the process.
“Shoppers are urged not to leave handbags unattended especially in a shopping trolley, as this results in handbags being stolen,” he says.
