Robber shot dead in home shoot-out
2012-11-17 09:07
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Durban - A family attacked by robbers in their Southbroom home survived unscathed when a relative surprised the gang and shot one assailant dead.
Two accomplices fled without any of the spoils they had come for, said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zandra Wiid.
The husband, wife and their child were relaxing in the lounge of their Southridge Road home on Wednesday night when three men with their faces covered entered through an open door.
Wiid, who declined to identify the family, said the robbers demanded cash and cellphones, and started tying up their victims.
Opened fire
However, another family member, who was elsewhere in the house, locked the door when she heard the commotion and phoned the man’s son-in-law, who arrived armed with a shotgun and accompanied by other individuals.
When they walked into the house and confronted the gang, the robbers opened fire on them and the son-in-law allegedly fired back.
One robber died at the scene and the other two ran away. The family was not hurt.
Wiid said Margate police were busy following up leads and arrests were expected shortly. A case of house robbery was opened.
Wiid urged residents to take precautions as crime picks up with the festive season approaching.
“Residents are urged to keep security gates and doors locked. Keep valuables out of sight and locked away. Contact numbers of emergency services and family or friends should be kept ready, close at hand, for assistance in emergency situations,” she said.