Ballito resident held at gunpoint in house burglary
A Ballito homeowner was held at gunpoint during an early morning home invasion on Tuesday, June 17, in what authorities describe as a brazen robbery on Minerva Road South.
According to Umhlali Saps, three unidentified men, one reportedly armed with a pistol, entered the property around 3am.
The robbers allegedly gained access through a sliding door that had been left open, surprising the homeowner who was working on his computer in the lounge at the time.
The armed thief reportedly pointed the firearm at the homeowner and forced him to lie on the floor while the other two thieves ransacked the home.
Numerous high value items were allegedly stolen.
In a possible lead for investigators, a power bank believed to belong to one of the robbers was left behind at the scene. The item has been retained by police for fingerprint analysis.
No injuries or property damage were reported and no shots were fired. Emergency services and police responded promptly.
This incident follows a similar non-violent break-in on Marion Road North on Saturday, June 15, between 8 and 9pm.
In that case, a thief entered through a side sliding door while the homeowners were on the patio, stealing a wallet and a laptop without being noticed.
CCTV footage from the Marion Road incident revealed a robber wearing Adidas shoes similar to those seen in previous cases. However, police noted a different modus operandi in the two incidents.
Ballito Neighbourhood Watch (BNW) chair Morné Steffens confirmed a recent rise in burglaries and attempted break-ins in the area.
'We are very fortunate here with crime usually at a minimum. It's been blissfully quiet, until now,' said Steffens.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, secure all entry points and report suspicious activity immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Umhlali Saps or the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch at www.ballitonw.org.za.
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