Durban – A Parkgate family in Verulam have been left traumatised after being awoken by three armed men in a home invasion on Sunday night.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said members of Rusa were dispatched to B Section just before 11pm after receiving reports of the incident.
Balram said when Rusa officers arrived at the scene they were informed that three suspects broke a window, pointed firearms at the family and instructed them to unlock the door.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the complainant alleged that he was asleep when he was awakened by his wife in the early hours of the morning.
Ngcobo said the man’s wife informed him that there were intruders in the lounge.
The complainant went to investigate and saw three armed men in the lounge and one was at the door, she said.
“They then pointed a firearm at them and instructed them to lie down on the floor. The suspects then booted the bedroom door, ransacked the house and took cash, clothes, a TV and cellphones,” said Ngcobo.
Police said the suspects then fled the scene in their getaway vehicle.
According to Balram the suspects loaded the stolen goods into an awaiting white Nissan Almera.
“They began firing shots after residents and members of the local neighbourhood watch started approaching the property,” he said.
He added that a 9mm round was recovered at the scene.
A case of robbery was opened at Verulam police station for investigation.