PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS FLASH - A sudden spate in violent home invasions in and around Plettenberg Bay has Bitou police working around the clock to apprehend the suspects.

The usually quiet coastal holiday town has been plagued by four armed robberies – during which victims were tortured and severely assaulted – in just over three weeks.

The latest incident was in Harkerville on Wednesday May 6 when local resident Rob Evans woke up during the early hours of the morning to find three men in his bedroom.

“When he woke up at about 03:00 he found three unknown men in his bedroom. The suspects assaulted him, tied his hands and feet and wrapped adhesive tape over his mouth and ransacked the house,” Pieterse said. The men also hit and kicked Evans.

According to the local neighbourhood watch report two of the men were wearing balaclavas, while the third was bald. They spoke both English and Afrikaans. The suspects also taped a pillow over Evans’ face and demanded money.

“They opened the safe, took out his pistol and threatened to shoot the homeowner,” Pieterse added.

The men then fled the scene with Evans’ cellphone, Canon camera, Acer laptop, a small amount of cash and his 9mm pistol.

The robbers gained access to his home after removing a window and frame.