There certainly seems to be no end to the ongoing crime residents of Laudium are facing each day, as more and more reports are received by the Laudium Sun, of thieves entering the properties of residents, during the day or at night, without any fear of being arrested.
What is surprising to residents, is the ease with which criminals are entering their properties, despite security fencing or high walls. For some unknown explanation, criminals even jump easily over the high security spiked fencing, which face busy streets, yet they are not spotted by passing cars or alert neighbours, not even by the police or private security patrollers.
This is the lesson a Mink Street family learnt recently, when thieves jumped over their palisade fencing to gain entry into their yard, just past midnight, yet no one passing by spotted the thieves. The incident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, whilst the family was asleep, resulted in a number of items being stolen from the outside store room of the family home, which the thieves forcefully opened after jumping into the yard.
Home owner, Karin Nivas, explained further to the Laudium Sun, what transpired early Thursday morning at her home. “It was past midnight and we were all fast asleep, when all of a sudden, I was awoken by the sound of a load bang. I immediately woke up and saw the time was 00:40am. I got out of bed and went to my bedroom window, to check what was happening. After moving the curtains, I was shocked to see two guys at our front gate. One of them was inside with our lawnmower, trying to pass it over to the guy outside, who was reaching out to get it. I immediately called the police and we laid a complaint about the lawnmower being stolen, but by the time they came the thieves were gone. It was only later in the morning that we discovered that a number of other items had also been stolen, including a grass cutter and a weed eater. I cannot believe how daring these thieves have become. For them to steal all these items and then walk with them on the streets or even load them onto a bakkie, at the risk of being spotted by the police or the private security patrols, says to me that they do not care if they are caught, probably because they know that they would soon be released. We are now sleeping with one eye open at night. This crime is really getting out of hand. The police have to do something to stop all the crime. We always read about crime in Laudium in the Laudium Sun, but one only realises how serious it is when one is personally affected.”
Another Mink Street resident, Manoj Sookhan, told the Laudium Sun, “Crime is increasing in Laudium by the day and we are no longer safe even in our homes, whether it is in broad daylight or at night. We need answers, as to where the various private security vehicles are? Where are the police? What are they doing to ensure our safety?”
Sgt Simon Chokoe, merely confirmed that a case was opened, but did not furnish any other information.
