The Arrest: Walmer SAPS and Atlas bag 8 house robbers after carefully planned operation.avi

Описание: A gang of 5 brazen armed robbers hit two homes in Lorraine over the weekend and were finally caught and jailed within 36 hours after their second house robbery. Not even a day later a further 3 members were arrested in possession of stolen goods.

The first incident occurred on Friday evening at 23h30 when the gang hit a Sedan Avenue, Lorraine home. ATLAS received information of the robbery and provided back up. Apparently three suspects gained entry into the house and immediately tied up the owner's wife. They proceeded to assault the owner who was hit him over the head with a blunt object. The trio loaded the owner into his own vehicle and drove off with him. After speeding away from the house, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided into a wall in Montmeady Road. After the collision, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bushes, leaving the homeowner in the car. Fortunately the owner sustained no major injuries during the car crash.

Back home, the wife managed to untie herself and contacted the Police to report the incident. They met up with the owner's wife at home to investigate. During further inspection and patrols, they found the vehicle accident scene in Montmeady Road where they found the owner and recovered the stolen goods in the car.

On Saturday evening at 22h34, a Verdun Road, Lorraine family was robbed by three suspects. Neighbours, who heard the commotion, pressed their panic button and reported to ATLAS that their neighbours across the road are being robbed.

ATLAS and the Police arrived on the scene and found that the robbers forced open the lounge window and gained entry into the house. They tied up the couple and loaded the Plasma TV, camera, jewellery and a few other goods into the owner's bakkie and fled in the owner's vehicle. Later that evening the Police reported that they found the vehicle, abandoned in Walmer Township. The bakkie was empty and the stolen goods were not recovered.

Early Sunday morning, the Walmer Police summonsed ATLAS Operational Head Monty Montgomery to attend an urgent information sharing meeting regarding the incidents. All security forces were merged and a man hunt was launched. Within 36 hours, the Police managed to successfully arrest all five members of the gang at Centenary Motors in Lorraine. They were found in possession of a black Toyota Yaris which they suspect was being used as their transport during the house robberies.

It has been alleged that this very same gang has been actively involved in breaking into homes in the area for quite some time now. Their Modus Operandi includes invading homes when the owners are at home. Three to four members would enter the house while their partners keep a watchful eye on the outside. They would then load the stolen goods in the owner's vehicle and drive off with it. A few hours after the house robbery, they would abandon the empty vehicle somewhere leaving no trace. The arrest is a big break through and all residents in the Lorraine area were able to sleep peacefully.

A day later - once again ATLAS was requested to assist the Police in hunting down more suspected gang members in the vicinity of Prospect Road and Tenth Avenue Walmer near Damelin College, who were linked to this syndicate of armed robbers. The Police believed that this trio were linked to the same house robbers that were arrested on Monday. A chase ensued and all three suspects were apprehended. The trio were driving a black Citi Golf which was impounded by the Police. Numerous stolen goods valuing in excess of R100 000 were recovered from the vehicle as well as from the premises of the perpetrators.

The Police believe that this gang has been responsible for numerous house robberies & car thefts throughout Port Elizabeth residential areas & there is a strong possibility that more members of this gang will be arrested soon.

Note from ATLAS: Tighten up your security and remember to arm your alarm even if you are at home. Continue to share any suspicious criminal information with Atlas 0861 585 585 or the SAPS 10111.

If you are unfortunate enough to be confronted in your house, here are a few tips that will help you.

• Stay calm and do not make any sudden movements that could be construed as threatening. Make sure your hands can be seen at all times.
• Do not look the person in the eye.
• Do not confront the person.
• Follow ALL instructions given to you. Hand over any valuables they want, give them any keys they want.
• Concentrate on the following information: clothes the person is wearing, language or accent, names mentioned, age, nationality, etc.
• Do not speak to the person if not spoken to.
• Only give information that is asked - do not offer additional information.
• Do not try to be a hero under any circumstances.
• If you are asked to lie on the floor, lie in view of the robbers with your hands visible.