Robbers enjoy a post-crime drink

2008-12-02 07:43

Buks Viljoen

Waterval Boven - The robbers that attacked Ria Brown on a farm near Waterval Boven on Saturday, enjoyed a beer barely a kilometre from the scene of the robbery while the police were busy with their investigation.

This is the conclusion the Browns reached after finding some of their stolen goods in the veld near their home.

Ria, 63, was at home when she was attacked by two robbers on Saturday morning. Her husband, Ian, 68, was visiting a neighbour at the time.

At one point the robbers tried to suffocate her with a plastic bag in order to force her to give them the keys to the safe.

The robbers took her handbag, jewellery, six guns, food and drink before fleeing.

Police response

The Browns had questioned the response of the police at Waterval Boven.

When they reported the robbery, they were told that the police couldn't come out to the farm because their only vehicle was at another crime scene.

Ian eventually got assistance from neighbouring police stations at Machadodorp, Dullstroom and Lydenburg.

On Monday morning he decided to walk around on the farm and look for clues himself.

Barely a kilometre from the house he found his wife's handbag, a small case and a sling with shot cartridges.

"It was clear that they had waited here for a long time after the robbery.

"They really tucked into our food. Several empty beer bottles were left behind," Ian said on Monday.

On Monday morning a pub owner from Kabokweni near White River called Ria to say they had found her purse and personal documents in a dustbin.

Suspect identified

Police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Mokomene said they had already positively identified one of the suspects.

"We are hot on his heels and he should be behind bars soon."

Mokomene said an investigation had already been launched into the way the Waterval Boven police had handled the matter.

- Beeld