Daring Masked Armed Robbers Raid Church, Steal 50 Phones and Valuables from Congregants
Five armed and masked robbers stormed and raided a church in Booysens Park, Eastern Cape, during an evening service on May 5.
The robbers targeted worshippers, stealing mobile phones and other valuables from approximately 50 congregants. The attackers fled in the priest’s car, which was later found abandoned, leaving the community shaken by the audacity of the heist.
Masked Gunmen Steal Phones and More from Congregants
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain André Beetge, the suspects stormed the church located on Gallant Street in Greenfields during an evening service. The robbers allegedly stole mobile phones and other valuables from approximately 50 worshippers.
“They stole roughly 50 congregants’ cellphones and other belongings. The suspects escaped in the church priest’s white Toyota RAV4, which was eventually discovered abandoned in Chatty. The car has been taken for forensic examination,” Captain Beetge confirmed.
Second Armed Robbery Targets Churchgoers at Emmanuel Community Church
In a separate, but equally disturbing incident, armed robbers targeted a congregation at the Emmanuel Community Church in Tea Estate.
The heist, which took place around 8 p.m., was captured on CCTV footage showing a gunman holding the pastor at gunpoint while stealing his belongings.
The footage also revealed the assailant disconnecting a television and walking off with it. Reaction Unit SA (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram stated that about 25 individuals, including children, were present during the robbery.
Children Locked in Toilets During Robbery
Balram described the terrifying moment when the heavily armed robbers locked children in toilets to ensure their compliance during the heist. The attackers then hijacked three vehicles, including the congregation’s cars, and stole several mobile phones and valuables.
“Reaction Unit South Africa received several calls from members of the congregation at around 8 p.m. reporting that five armed robbers had just left the church after hijacking three vehicles and stealing several mobile phones and other valuables,” Balram said.