Ottawa family’s home invasion trauma

A HOME, for many, is a safe haven, but not for an Ottawa family after six robbers held up their nanny and 2-year-old child at gunpoint.

The home invasion on Thursday has left the family traumatised and wondering what they could have done differently to have prevented the attack.

The child’s parents and other family members were at work at the time.

One robber held the nanny and toddler at gunpoint while his accomplices searched the house for valuables, and another kept watch outside.

The family’s domestic helper took refuge in a cupboard during the ordeal.

“They rang the outside bell and asked for water. While the nanny was on the intercom with them, my daughter in-law called, as she normally does, to check up on the child. While she was distracted, the men came in. They tried to force out the burglar guard and then broke down the side door,” said a family member, who requested anonymity as they feared for their lives.

She said the robbery lasted about 15 minutes. In that time the robbers managed to take jewellery, two plasma television sets, other electronic appliances, cash and a safe.

“It was absolutely traumatising. Our home isn’t even like a safe haven anymore and I haven’t been to work since Friday,” said the woman.

“We’re just so fortunate that nobody was hurt but you still can’t take away the emotional pain. I don’t feel safe in my own house and now we’re actually blaming each other thinking about what we could have done to avoid the situation. “They were not interested in clothes or crockery, they just wanted electronics, cash and jewellery,” she said.

Prem Balaram, head of security company Reaction Unit South Africa, said: “Upon arrival it was established that six armed suspects in a white motor vehicle had removed the cover off the gate motor and used the override button to open the driveway gate. The suspects then forced their way into the garage before breaking a door leading into the house.

“Two armed men then held the two domestic workers and a 2-year old boy at gunpoint while their accomplices searched the home for valuables.”

LEFT: The automated gate motor that was overridden to open the driveway gate. RIGHT: The side door of the house that was broken by the robbers to gain access.