MUIZENBERG residents are shaken after thwarting two suspects who attempted to hijack cars shortly after they had tied up and robbed an 82-year-old woman during a burglary in Moselle Road on Friday.
The two armed suspects, one in his 20’s and the other in his 30’s, broke into the woman’s home and tied her up with cable ties before fleeing the scene Friday morning.
According to police, the two went on to rob another person of a cellphone just several metres from the Moselle residence.
Spokesperson Novela Potelwa said that once the suspects got to the Main Road, they attempted to hijack a vehicle driven by a woman.
“When members of the public intervened they turned their attention to another vehicle whose driver also tried to assist the driver of the first vehicle. A third vehicle rammed into the second vehicle knocking one suspect down. He sustained serious injuries after being hit by the third vehicle that rammed into the door of the second vehicle that was being hijacked. At the time, another suspect fled from the scene, dropping a firearm in a nearby bush.”
She said that police found the stolen items and a firearm inside the second vehicle that the suspects attempted to hijack.
“The police embarked on a search for the firearm that was allegedly thrown into a nearby bush by the second suspect who fled the scene. At 3:45pm they recovered the firearm.”
Potelwa said that the suspect who fled the hijacking scene was eventually apprehended after police gave chase to a person fitting his description.
Police commended members of the public for assisting in the apprehension of both suspects.
The suspects are suspected to be linked to gangs and are currently under police guard in hospital.
Muizenberg Community Policing Forum’s (CPF) spokesperson Lorraine Moko said residents were still shaken by the incident.
“We are very much concerned and alarmed about the targeting of the vulnerable. The community of Muizenberg is very hands-on and alert when it comes to crime hence they were of assistance in this case as well.
"Muizenberg residents always make it a point to be aware of what is happening and work hand-in-hand with the police.
“We thank the police who are always visible, and the station commander for being active and hope the suspects will be held accountable for their crimes,” she said.
The men will appear in court on charges of house robbery, pointing with a firearm, armed robbery, and possession of firearm and ammunition once they are released from hospital.