Hostage stand-off after jogger kidnapped

Published Jul 6, 2015

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Durban - A woman jogging in Durban early on Monday morning was forced into a car at gunpoint and taken to her home where robbers held up her family.

When private security guards arrived at the Glenwood home, a robber took the jogger hostage and threatened to shoot her.

Gunshots rang out as security employees tried to stop the robbers escaping with the woman.

She was later found unharmed in the robber’s abandoned car in Chesterville.

Blue Security operations manager, Brian Jackson, said the woman had been jogging near Lena Ahrens (Manning) Road, Glenwood, at about 4.55am when a silver VW Polo hatchback with three men inside stopped and forced her inside at gunpoint.

They drove her to her home in Cato Road, near the intersection with Alan Paton (McDonald) Road.

Jackson said a motorist who had seen the abduction followed the gang to Cato Road.

The motorist then alerted a security officer posted in a guard hut on the road and Blue Security responded.

“When our officer arrived... he found the gang’s car parked in the street and one of the gang members emerged from the house still holding the resident hostage at gunpoint. He forced her into the car and sped off.

“Our officer opened fire at the vehicle tyres and shot one of the tyres. The other two suspects jumped over a wall and fled the scene on foot.”

According to a source, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, the robber who had taken the woman hostage held a gun to her head and told security if they came closer he would shoot her.

Jackson said Umbilo SAPS also arrived.

“The police gave chase and rescued the woman from the vehicle which was found abandoned with a burst tyre in Chesterville,” he said.

 

The shocked woman was found unharmed on Ridgeview Road, but according to a source is undergoing trauma counselling.

It is not clear what items were taken during the house robbery.

Police cordoned off the area and recovered a number of bullet shells on Cato Road.

Bulwer Community safety forum spokeswoman, Heather Rorick, commended police and security for their response.

“People have to be a lot more careful. Rethink what we do. We are trying to get a meeting with police and all role players to reduce crime. Hats off to (those) who did not turn a blind eye to the incident,” she said.

The family were not immediately available for comment.

Police had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

Daily News

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