Partially blind man and grandson robbed

The swift response from community policing forum members led to the arrest of a man who robbed a partially-blind elderly man and his 12-year-old grandson at knife-point on Friday.

The 76-year-old man was walking in his neighbourhood with his grandson when they were approached by the thief on Star Terrace in Bakerville, Northdale, at around 5pm.

It is alleged the robber pushed the elderly man to the ground and held the child at knife-point before making off with a cellphone.

The Community Policing Forum (CPF),

PMB Citizens on Patrol and Bakerville Crime Alert responded to a message alert of the incident and began searching for the man.

Mountain Rise CPF deputy chairperson Sanjeev Singh said within an hour of the incident they found the robber on Dr Chota Motala Road, near the site where land invasions are taking place.

"The suspect was taken back to the scene and was positively identified. SAPS was called and the man was handed over to the police by the CPF.

"Since the land invasion started, crime in this area has increased. Petty crime has been escalating in the past year [and is now becoming more of a] serious nature," said Singh.

He said he was grateful that no one had been seriously injured; however, he said the crime is a concern as many residents, especially the elderly, like to go for regular walks.

"Residents can't do that anymore. It has become a problem [to an extent] that you have to live like you are in a jail. You have to secure your house. The whole of Northdale is scared of visiting family members living on the next road. It is dangerous.

As a CPF, we create awareness in different neighbourhoods to try and make people more aware of their surroundings. We need victims to report crimes to SAPS so that they can identify problem areas in Northdale. If that can happen, we can clamp down on crime even though it is going to be a long road", he said.

Mountain Rise SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Pancheal Singh said the suspect was charged with theft and assault. He added that the stolen phone was recovered.