Quick-thinking Yellowwood Park family evades gun-wielding invaders

Suspects fired a shot as they fled the scene of a home invasion in Yellowwood Park, last Thursday night. “Quick thinking by the residents, who activated their panic alarm as soon as they noticed the intruders on the property, meant the suspects got away empty-handed,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.

“The suspects fired a shot during their getaway when they noticed the neighbour in the road, with his dog, who had come out to investigate the cause of the screaming and noises emanating from the home in question.” The incident occurred at about 8.30pm whilst a Yellowwood Park family was watching television.
“The resident said that three suspects entered the property via the unlocked pedestrian gate and then proceeded to force the front-door security gate in an attempt to steal the television set. “Thankfully the residents reacted quickly by locking themselves in the bedroom and activating the panic alarm,” said Mathios.
“The suspects then fled in a vehicle and fired a shot when they passed the neighbour and his dog, who had set out to investigate the cause of the screaming nearby.” No injuries occurred and Montclair SAPS attended the incident.
“It’s important to try and be as pro-active as possible and have a plan of action should intruders enter your property while you are at home,” advised Mathios.
• Keep all forms of entry into the home locked and secure.
• Check all detection and warning systems are operative.
• Create and identify a ‘safe room’ in the house where you can escape & secure yourself from intruders. Keep a spare panic button and charged cellphone in this room to summon help during an incident.
• In the unfortunate likelihood of being confronted by an intruder, try and remain calm, do not make any sudden movements and keep your hands visible.
• Try to remain calm and do not prevent the intruders from taking valuables. This could provoke a violent reaction from the perpetrator.
• Link up with the neighbourhood watch and security groups in your area to be aware of any criminal activity in your street or suburb.