The Laudium family of well-known haleem chef, aunty Maymoona, is still reeling from shock after six armed thugs entered their home and confronted them, at gunpoint, this past Wednesday (July 26).
Speaking to the Laudium Sun, Afzal Joosub, active community member, said that the message informing the community about the armed robbery that took place on 12th Avenue, at around 5pm, had gone viral after being posted on the social media platform.
"Upon receiving the message with the address on 12th Avenue, two of my friends and I immediately responded to the distress call. When we arrived at the home that was targeted, I saw that the four members of the Anver Ali family were severely traumatised by the incident. I learnt that they had just been freed of their restraints that the hoodlums had forced upon them, while holding them at gunpoint. They were tied with their hands behind their backs and made to sit in the lounge area, whilst one thug pointed a 9mm pistol at them and the other five violently ransacked their home," Afzal related with disbelief.
"One of the creeps demanded the car keys to a gold Mercedes Benz C250 (DX87CT GP) that was parked in the garage. To avoid further issues, the family handed over their keys without hesitation or resistance. The entire ordeal lasted approximately ten minutes, according to the family members, with the thugs helping themselves to cellphones, two wallets and an IPad from the lounge area. It seems as if these thugs knew exactly what they wanted because although there were many cars parked in the yard, they only had their sights set on the Mercedes Benz," Afzal added.
"After getting the keys to the vehicle and rounding up all the valuables they had looted, the unscrupulous criminals escaped the home, leaving the homeowners still bound and highly distressed. It is not known what getaway vehicle they used other than the stolen Mercedes as there were no eyewitnesses. Family member, Abdul Kader Anver Ali, managed to free himself from his restraints and untie those of his wife and two children, before phoning the police and informing other family members," Afzal concluded.
Speaking to the Laudium Sun, neighbouring 12th Avenue resident, Riyaad 'Aloo' Muhammad (24) who was also at the scene said that he believes the armed robbery at aunty Maymoona's residence was no mere coincidence.
"This was definitely a planned hit and I am sure that they had some inside information. They knew which car to take!" Riyaad exclaimed.
"It looks as if we are all under siege by these criminals who believe they can just waltz into our properties and loot our possessions that we work so hard for. The police need to become more organized and get their act together. They should at least try to formulate a plan to deal with these night crawlers who appear to constantly be on the prowl," the concerned resident worriedly concluded.
Abdul Kader told the Laudium Sun that they were still extremely traumatised after the incident and were trying to figure out what else had been grabbed by the thieves The Laudium police confirmed that they were investigating a case of armed robbery.
12th Avenue resident Riyaad Muhammad believes that the robbery was a planned hit.
File photo: Traumatised, Abdul Kader Anver Ali.
The 12th Ave home that was targeted by six armed thugs this past Wednesday, (July 26) at around 5pm.