Johannesburg - Bullet holes, a pool of blood and cartridges scattered all over a lavish double-storey house in Roshnee, in the Vaal, briefly resembled something out of a movie on Thursday.
Balaclavas, a pair of sneakers and a pair of bloodied socks were among the things found in the house. A bag carrying bolt cutters, screwdrivers and a torch were also found at the scene.
The gang of four men had gained entry into Faizel Ally’s house by jumping the electrical fence, drilling holes in the burglarproofing and breaking open the back door.
The attempted robbery resulted in one of the alleged robbers seeking refuge at a nearby hospital, claiming he was injured during a mugging, in a bid to evade arrest.
Unfortunately for him, police had alerted doctors that a wounded suspect - with a bullet lodged in his leg - might be looking for treatment. He was arrested soon afterwards.
Two accomplices fled and another died near the house that they had intended to rob around 3.45am.
A few minutes later, a helicopter was seen hovering over the area and the police’s K9 dog unit was at the scene searching for more suspects.
Pupils and teachers at the neighbouring Roshnee Islamic School were greeted by bloodstains when they reported for classes.
The injured man had run into the school, jumping the fence and tried to get to the veld behind the property.
According to Ally, two of the men had entered his house while the other two were stationed outside.
Once inside, they took the stairs to the upper rooms, where they found Ally’s son sleeping.
He said the robbers bound his son’s hands and feet and demanded money. At the time, Ally had seen the men taking the stairs while he watched from his lower bedroom. He pressed the panic button, alerting the Roshnee Neighbourhood Watch. The guards responded, but failed to gain entry to the house.
Armed and eager to protect his family, a shootout between the robbers and Ally erupted. “One of them shot and I shot back. The second man also shot in my direction. Both of them were wounded.
“It was later, when paramedics were busy assisting the other man, that we got to hear that he had died.
“Police told us that the other one was arrested in hospital. We are not safe here. Nowhere is safe these days,” he added.
Ally told The Star that this was the fifth house robbery at his home since 1991, when he moved into the area. His son and wife were traumatised.
Police recovered an unlicensed revolver, a 9mm magazine, a laptop and a bag containing housebreaking implements.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said a case of house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm would be investigated.
A manhunt has been launched for the remaining two suspects.
The Star