Robbers escape with loot after home burglaries

At least three house robberies occurred in Nelson Mandela Bay over the weekend.

It the latest incident, a family was robbed by four men in Closemore Crescent, Malabar, at about 2am on Sunday.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said a woman was sleeping when she heard a loud bang.

“The next thing four men were inside the house, threatening her.

“It is suspected that they kicked open the front door.

“One of the men stayed with her while the other suspects rounded up her mother and two children sleeping in different bedrooms,” he said.

“They were all placed inside a bedroom and locked inside.”

Labans said the suspects then ransacked the house and stole a television and other items before running away.

In Chatty Extension 12, in Booysen Park, at 3.30am on Saturday, a 30-year-old man was sleeping in his shack when three men entered with guns.

“The men grabbed the television and other small items before running off.”

In another robbery at 3.30pm in River Road, Swartkops, a lone thief broke into a house and fled empty-handed when the 74-year-old homeowner confronted him.

“The couple were watching television when the elderly man went to the bathroom.

“En route to the bathroom, he noticed a shadow in one of the bedrooms.

“He walked in and confronted the suspect.

“A scuffle ensued and the suspect hit him on the head with a torch.

“During the commotion, the man’s wife went to see what was happening.

“During the fight, the suspect managed to run out of the front door,” police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said.