Update on crime issues in Sunninghill

Sunninghill over the past week has been the victim of three armed robberies.  One in Marise Crescent in Sunninghill, one in Sunninghill Gardens and one at a shopping centre in Sunninghill Park.  Thankfully no one was hurt and three arrest were made.

Marise Crescent: – At approximately 18h55 the victim was walking guest out to their car when they were accosted by two armed black males who forced them back into the house.  The owner of the house was forced to open the safe after which he and his guests were locked in the bathroom.  A large volume of goods was stolen.  The suspects were driving a C-Class Silver Mercedes Benz.  This car is believed to have been involved in a number of armed robberies all over Sandton.  Unfortunately no vehicle registration details are available.

Sunninghill Gardens – On Saturday at approximately 12h50an armed robbery occurred in Kitui Road in Sunninghill Gardens.  The victim was working in his garage when he saw through the window a number of suspects in his garden, he immediately realised all was not well and opened his garage door and ran down the road for help.  One of the suspects gave chase after him.  Luckily a neighbour down the street saw what was happening and phoned the Savika Control room.  The Savika Armed Response dedicated vehicle arrived shortly and arrested one suspect on the driveway pretending to wash the victim’s vehicle.  The Reaction Officer saw a second vehicle parked on the drive and after checking the license disk on the window of the vehicle against the registration plate and seeing that they did not match, the Reaction Officer arrested the suspect.  After securing the first suspect he arrested a second suspect after searching the garden.  The Sandton SAPS arrived promptly and after questioning the domestics, arrested the gardener whose cell phone was linked to the two suspects in custody.  The gardener was an illegal Zimbabwean.  Three suspects were taken away by the SAPS and the vehicle which was stolen recovered.

Sunninghill Park – A fast food outlet was robbed by suspects pretending to be customers.  No one was injured.

Sunninghill Community Security would like to congratulate Savika Armed Response for their swift response to a call for help which resulted in the arrest of the three criminals in Sunninghill Gardens.  The two Reaction Officers involved will both be receiving a reward for their actions.

We have seen a spiral of violent crimes all over Sandton in the past week and we would like to warn residents and businesses that as we enter the most dangerous time of the year to practice extra care and be alert and security minded.  The Sandton SAPS at a meeting held yesterday with residents associations and security companies, voiced their concern over the escalation of crime at both businesses and shopping malls and centres.  They assured us that they would be putting as much manpower as they could, both foot and in vehicles in and around these hot spots.  We urge all businesses and residents to assist us and the SAPS by being our eyes and ears and reporting anything of concern to myself on 083 440 2381, Savika Armed Response on 0861savika or in the case of a dire emergency both Savika and the SAPS 10111.  We would also like to once again as we have done many times, asked our residents to please NOT EMPLOY illegals without papers.  95% of armed robberies are performed with the help of employees, the vast majority of these being illegals.

Linda Gildenhuys

Sunninghill Community Security