Update: Debbie Swarts called me just after 5pm to advise there were four men probably fitting the description of our robbers. Dean Swarts and I barreled down and apprehended a short man fitting the description of one of them. Silke Kaiser arrived, as did Sandringham SAPS. Frustratingly, Shadrack of Byerley confirmed it was not our man and we let him go. But word is spreading that we are closing the net on the scum. The man we detained was Axel, a Malawian.
Update: Steff Dembo reports (unfortunately while I was napping ahead of my broadcast): "There is a vehicle parked on the verge near the Gordon and Clulee corner ... opposite LEAP. I think it's an old BMW... maroon in colour ... 3 or 4 males in and out of it. Just thought I'd let you know, in case it's one of the vehicles reported as behaving suspiciously. Sorry, couldn't get the number plate."
Update: This fits the overall description. Neville Ross writes: "Four gentlemen walking down Clulee between Ronald and Oak heading north. Two of them walking together. 1 shortish wearing a white cap and yellow cap. The second taller wearing white pants. Both were very dark-skinned. They were followed (about 30 metres behind). Both about average height and wearing blue overalls.
Update: Steff Dembo reports (unfortunately while I was napping ahead of my broadcast): "There is a vehicle parked on the verge near the Gordon and Clulee corner ... opposite LEAP. I think it's an old BMW... maroon in colour ... 3 or 4 males in and out of it. Just thought I'd let you know, in case it's one of the vehicles reported as behaving suspiciously. Sorry, couldn't get the number plate."
Update: This fits the overall description. Neville Ross writes: "Four gentlemen walking down Clulee between Ronald and Oak heading north. Two of them walking together. 1 shortish wearing a white cap and yellow cap. The second taller wearing white pants. Both were very dark-skinned. They were followed (about 30 metres behind). Both about average height and wearing blue overalls.
Update: Nic Nel advises on Sunday evening: "On Saturday night, 4 armed robbers entered 66 3rd Road (Contract Truck Hire) from the unkempt property on the corner of 3rd Road and 3rd Avenue, held up the guard, and broke into the offices, stealing several computers. The MO was very much the same as previous incidents of this kind – point of entry onto the property and even the same window forced.
"At about 10am today received an alert on 4 men walking in Gordon Road. Rushed out but nowhere to be found. ADT sent 3 cars in support."
Update: If this blog serves one purpose in retrospect, it will be to have put these monsters behind bars.
A summary of yesterday's activity:
1 These guys speak Zulu, but someone claims they are Zimbabwean.
2 The commonality is that one of them is short and typically dressed in a white top.
3 They are definitely armed and extremely dangerous.
4 They have definitely robbed and may have raped.
5 They seem to come from outside of Linbro through the broken palisade fencing and through Intaprop's construction site. Our first priority, as of today, is to fix this gaptooth fence. It is not Intaprop's obligation, but I will ask them to assist.
6 They seem to enter late afternoon/early evening, and then exit after sunset.
7 The entire neighbourhood is preparing to mobilise to take out the trash. The Swarts are exemplary here. It is important to note that they do not walk four abreast, but often two at a time.
8 Sandringham SAPS is with us, with a range of inspectors and plain-clothes police ready to assist us, but we must drive communication to them. If anyone needs to know who is in charge at any one time, contact me, please, and I will pass on the details.
I would ask Theo to coordinate this effort, as it is beyond my scope of experience, and I cannot find the time today.
I will, however, take pics today to show where they are coming in.
Update: Steff Dembo writes: "I was leaving 81 Clulee last night to go to a friend in Ronald/Hilton ... this was 6.40pm.
A group of 4 very suspicious BM's were walking up Clulee from cnr Gordon in a very determined, hurried way ... I slowed down next to them and gave them a good look.
One was shorter than the rest and had on a white t-shirt with stripes ... but as I was alone, I couldn't do anymore than that. They seemed anxious to get to the gaping hole in the wall which leads from Clifford/Clulee to the outside world of Linbro.
I am wondering if this isn't their entrance/exit point...???
Think about it...
There are no people whatsoever around the area from corner Gordon/Clulee to Clifford, so very little chance of getting reported once they have entered the demolition site ... and a very quick and easy escape out of LP once they are through that gaping hole.
I suggest a stake-out somewhere near there, at around 6.30 to 8pm...
but don't be visible ... they are very slippery.
Frank: Working with Sandringham right now.
Update: Inspector Mike Mamabolo and I have committed to taking out the trash. He and I will start working from Thursday to gather evidence. It is his job, but I will assist. We need every bit of evidence, every clue, every possible shred that can point us in the right direction.
These swine are operating in a triangulated area that is quite easy to shut down and check. That is our starting point, but we need everyone to cooperate.
I am not an aggressive person, I am not a vigilante, but I will simply not allow us to be terrorised by filth like this. As of tonight, we are operating within the structures. Anyone who wants to assist, please fall in with me. If someone has more experience, please lead me. But these people are operating around me, and could take me, my wife and my children out any time. They are hurting my friends. Let's all pull together.
The rules: Me, or someone better than me, to pull the neighbourhood together, from Thursday, and take out the trash. Only me, if no one else steps forward. I have tons on my plate, believe me, and more every day, but I will fill a vacuum if no one else takes control, and I will do so with Insp Mamabolo. I am green at this stuff, so maybe someone else can work with Insp Mamabolo in terms of information gathering and closing in on these buggers. Otherwise I will.
This is not about egos: it's about taking out the trash. So far, no more.
Update: Have escalated to Sandringham SAPS and 702. Sandringham will radically upgrade its patrols. Hopefully 702 will come to the party, as it always does. I will coordinate SAPS, ADT, Chubb and all to find these trash, for once and for all. Anyone who's in with me, let's do it in the next few days under the auspices of SAPS. I think Joan's involvement is crucial.
Update: I was busy with a braai dinner with my son when Joan called to say, at around 6pm, that the four robbers/rapists were heading towards John O'Connor's property down 3rd Ave. Dropping everything, bundling my two-year-old into the car and allowing my braai onions to burn (!), I raced down, but they were gone.
I will continue aggregating content on this case for the neighbourhood's reference. Please pass on all clues.
Update: Silke Kaiser writes, Just to let you know that the cops feel that the four men who robbed Byerley are the same group who raped our resident. On Monday I will be at the police station and get them to link the cases. I will let everyone know once I have done this.
What is very clear is that we need to mobilise as a neighbourhood to catch these guys, who will strike again and again. They will subject us to a rein of terror unless we mobilise all our forces. I am available throughout the weekend as a communication hub.
Secondly, Silke reports that the Elphick Earthworks gate down Clifford was open. I have no doubt whatsoever that these four would use that as one of their routes to move around. Here at 87 Hilton we feel there is a time bomb ticking, until these guys are caught. The fence in our undeveloped piece of 87 was fearfully vandalised a few days ago, and my Sunday morning will be spent repairing it. We are connecting this vandalism to the attempted burglary of last week. This is easily the 30th attempt on our property in five years.
Update: Nic Nel writes: A Gang of 4 were arrested in January this year and released by the Police. I wonder whether the Police ever noted their details at the time as these may well be the guys who committed the rape last month, and maybe the robberies of late.
On 2 January Nic wrote:
Subject: Gang of 4 Arrested My informers had told me these chaps were frequenting 16 Clulee. At about 2.30pm Ndlovu of ADT observed them and blocked them on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Hilton Road. He called the police and they are now in custody - all 4 of them.Some of the gang have been living at 125 Hilton Road
Update: Robbers not found after 30 minutes of hunting. No evidence of ADT or SAPS in Clulee. SAPS patrolling the area religiously. Contactable on (011) 675 6129, or you can let me know.
These are the four men who struck at Byerley. One is short and wearing a white jersey and black cap.
Whoever is on Blockwatch tonight should keep their eyes peeled and be extremely careful. These men will kill.
Earlier post: Observed walking towards Clifford. Seem to have turned down Ronald and struck in Clulee.
Details to follow.
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1 comment:
I thought these guys were in custody!!
Why are they proving to be smarter than all the edumacated residents of Linbro??
Strange, indeed...
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