The domestic worker alerted a friend who contacted the police after she heard a commotion in the main residence.
The victim of the robbery had just let his dogs out on 17 August at 8.45pm, when he was approached by approximately four unknown males.
He was assaulted and his wife was taken to the bedroom where the robbers demanded access to the safe. The suspects proceeded to ransack the home, stealing jewellery, wrist watches and a camera. The also forced the victims to provide the pin numbers to their ATM cards.
During all of this, the domestic worker heard a noise which alerted her to the fact that something was wrong.
“Fortunately a dedicated sector patrol vehicle was nearby, and was at the scene speedily. The domestic worker kept her wits about her, and opened the electric gate for the police to enter the property unhindered,” said Captain Kym Cloete, spokesperson for the Sandton police.
The police caught the suspects in the act, but the suspects fled the scene.
“One suspect was arrested and was found with the stolen property still in his possession. The Sandton Detective Branch arrested an additional two suspects at 1pm on 21 August.The three suspects, all in their 30s, will appear in the Alexandra Court on charges of house robbery and possession of stolen property.
“The Sandton police commend the alertness of the domestic worker, and her ability to remain calm to enable the police to react to this serious crime,” concluded Cloete.
