Finger-licking thief

2003-05-14 22:05

Annie Olivier

Johannesburg - Even through she is still fit and "fought like a devil", Dina Niemand, 73, could not stop a robber from pulling her rings from her finger with his teeth.

Niemand said she and her husband, Hannes, 73, were overpowered when they arrived at their home in Randburg on Saturday. She was unlocking the second gate when three men ran past the electronic gate.

Mr Niemand saw the men in his rear-view mirror, but didn't suspect anything. "I thought they wanted to ask for an address, but suddenly, one of them opened my door and pushed a gun in my face."

The two other men apparently threw Niemand on the ground. "One pressed his hand over my mouth and the second jumped onto my thighs. I kicked him and fought like a devil, but what could I do against two men?

"Then one of them started biting my left hand to get the rings off. He was still busy when our neighbour noticed what was happening and screamed at them. The attacker stuck my finger into his mouth and pulled the rings off."

The robbers fled once they had the rings

Two bones in Niemand's ring finger were broken.

Her husband, a former wrestler, said they were shocked by the attack. "It is traumatic to see them assaulting your wife three metres away and you are stuck in your car."

Niemand's jeweller valued the diamond wedding and engagement rings at about R105 000.

- Beeld