Gqeberha police have once again appealed to residents who live on smallholdings and gated complexes to be more security conscious after two homes were targeted at an upmarket estate in the St Albans area.
Algoa FM news has reliably been informed that two of Wednesday's three incidents happened at Wedgewood Golf Estate situated off Old Cape Road.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg says in the first incident, just after 7 pm, a 72-year-old man and his wife were inside their home when their security beam was activated.
She says unknown suspects started banging on the sliding door in an attempt to enter but when their attempts failed they ran off towards the bushes.
Captain Janse van Rensburg says nothing was taken but the sliding door was damaged.
Less than half an hour later, another home on the same estate was invaded by two suspects – a 49-year-old complainant was alone at home when he heard a sound at the back door.
Captain Janse van Rensburg says the suspects gained entry as the door was unlocked and that a shot was fired, grazing the complainant on the forehead.
The suspects then fled with his phone and wallet.
Hours later, unknown men believed to be the same suspects held up a 60-year-old complainant in his home several kilometres away in Graemel Road in Greenbushes.
Captain Janse van Rensburg says the man opened his door for the dog at about 9.30 pm when he was accosted by four suspects who tied him up and forced him into the bathroom with his family.
The suspects ransacked the house and fled on foot with cell phones, TV sets and jewellery.
The complainant climbed through the bathroom window and alerted his neighbours.
