Staff writer
BURGLARS using the modus operandi of the notorious Crowbar Gang broke into a Kuils River home yesterday, stripping it of valuables worth at least R16 000.
“A neighbour who lives in my road said he heard my alarm go off, and came to my home to see why. When he got there, the gate and door were standing open,” said Soneike homeowner, Courtney Africa.
Africa, a Cape Times photographer, said he had received a call from a neighbour at about 2.30pm.
“He (the neighbour) looked around and called another neighbour who had my number. They came into the house together and didn’t find anyone,” Africa said.
He rushed home from work to find his most valuable possessions taken. This included a flat-screen television, XBox gaming console and laptop.
“It looks like a crowbar was used to open the door. There are wide gashes in the side of the door, and the lock is bent.”
He had reported the incident at about 4pm, and four hours later police arrived to assess the scene, said Africa. “I feel violated, knowing that someone was in my home and my personal space, and took my things,” he said.
Marius Ferreira, of the Soneike Neighbourhood Watch, was at the scene after the crime. “When we got there, the front door and gate were broken open. There were no witnesses.”
He said burglars commonly called the Crowbar Gang operated around Kuils River, Kraaifontein and Brackenfell.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.