PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A R10 000 reward is being offered for information leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of four suspects involved in overpowering and robbing an elderly couple in their home in a Plettenberg Bay private estate last week.

Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said four suspects, armed with crowbars, machetes and screwdrivers, gained access to a house on The Hill Private Estate on Tuesday night 2 October just after 20:00.

“The suspects entered the estate by digging under the electrical wire on the boundary fence. They gained entry and quickly overpowered two elderly people in their home. The suspects got away with several pieces of jewellery and computer tablets,” Olivier said.

Police spokesperson Captain Marlene Pieterse said the 79-year-old husband was busy making tea for his wife, who was upstairs at the time, when he suddenly heard a loud noise at their glass front door.

'Four balaclava-clad men'
She said when the man went to investigate he found four balaclava-clad men in his home. They gained access by breaking a window.

“The victim ran upstairs, while the suspects ran after him. When he reached the bedroom, the suspects threatened his wife with a knife,” Pieterse said.

She added that they also hit the complainant over his chest, tied him up, and fled the scene.

Since news of the incident surfaced, residents have questioned the safety of the estate, especially about entrance security.

Olivier said there is an “excellent” guard at the gate, but the problem is that no guards are patrolling the area. “The suspects did not walk through the front gate – they ducked their way in underneath the electrical fencing. There is no way the guard could see or hear the incident,” Olivier said.

Several crime fighters including police and private security companies responded swiftly and cordoned off the area, but attempts to apprehend the suspects were unsuccessful.

Olivier said a R10 000 reward is being offered for information that will lead to the successful apprehension and prosecution of these suspects.

He added that the estate has had no incidents in recent times. “We will endeavour to step up the security manpower to ensure more perimeter and site patrolling, including gate control, both during the day and at night.”

Pieterse said a case of house robbery is being investigated and that no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information that can assist the police can contact Sergeant Heinrich van Wyk on 044 501 1942/41.

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