BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEEDING 25 FEBRUARY 2010

This past week, there has been an onslaught of armed robberies, often in the same area within a day or two of each other. Could this be the same criminals using a modus operandi that works for them?

Let’s take a look at what has been happening.
    
Kloof / Forest Hills, Edwin Swales Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (17 February 2010, 21:49)
Resident was on the premises when she noticed 3 black males inside the house. One male was armed with a knife. Two cell phones were taken.
   
Kloof / Forest Hills, Edwin Swales Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (18 February 2010, 14:04)
A black male advised domestic worker that he had come to read the meter. On letting him onto the premises, 4 black males rushed in. The domestic was beaten and tied up. A plasma TV was taken.

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times – please ensure that your staff does not let anyone onto your property without you giving them permission. It is possible for the municipality to contact you a day prior to them inspecting the water meter, so no unexpected visits should be warranted.
   
Assagay, Cliffdale Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (19 February 2010, 17:50)
An armed black male entered the premises and stole a cellular phone. Suspect then fled the scene.

Hillary, Angle Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (22 February 2010, 11:44)
Three black males in a light blue vehicle (no description of car) entered the premises and they pushed domestic worker to the ground. An unknown amount of jewellery was stolen.
    
New Germany, Thole Street. Armed Robbery - Business (18 February 2010, 16:47)
Three - four armed black males entered the premises. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. Suspects used a white BMW 320i, belonging to a customer, to escape.
    
Kloof, Marievale Drive, Armed Robbery - Business (19 February 2010, 19:51)
Three armed black males entered the premises and held up the cashier. Suspects stole an unknown amount of cash and cigarettes. Suspects then held up taxi outside the premises and fled the scene.
    
Durban Central, Sydney Road. Armed Robbery - Business (20 February 2010, 13:51)
Resident was held at knife point while off loading his truck. Suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash, a cell phone and debit cards.

Pinetown, Lester Road. Hijacking (16 February 2010, 17:07)
Armed black males pointed a fire arm at resident whilst she was driving into her driveway. Suspects ordered her to exit her white Honda Jazz (NPN 640663) and fled the scene in the vehicle.

Glenmore, Bowen Road. Hijacking (18 February 2010, 18:59)
Resident had just arrived at her driveway when she was approached by 3 young black males in shorts. One of the suspects produced a fire-arm and demanded her vehicle, a silver Yaris (ND 611-654). Armed suspect jumped into the driver's seat, the other 2 jumped at the back and they fled towards Queen Mary Avenue.
    
Pinetown, Hamilton Road. Hijacking (22 February 2010, 19:58)
A visitor arrived at resident’s home got out of her vehicle to push the intercom buzzer. On returning to her vehicle, suspect jumped into the passenger seat and held her up at gunpoint. He demanded her cell phone and handbag (containing R1000 cash and credit cards). Suspect noticed resident exiting premises and fired a shot. Resident was shot in the leg. Suspect then fled the scene.

A criminal on edge is more dangerous than a rabid dog. Their minds are focused on one thing – getting your valuables – and any interference can often result in them attacking you. Be very wary if you are in a dangerous situation, and don’t aggravate an already unstable criminal psyche. By staying calm you have a better chance of controlling the outcome of the situation.
    
Gillitts, Edward Drive. Housebreaking - Residential (16 February 2010, 20:17)
Front window was forced and entry was gained. A DVD player, carry bags and jewellery was stolen.
    
Berea, Bulwer Road. Housebreaking - Residential (17 February 2010, 03:57)
Pedistrian gate was forced open. The back office burglar gate was forced and front door was kicked gaining entry. Two laptops and 4 computer towers were stolen.
    
Glen Hills, Casuarina Circle. Housebreaking - Residential (17 February 2010, 10:57)
Entry was gained by forcing open dinning room window. A laptop was stolen.
    
Durban North, Kew Road. Housebreaking - Residential (17 February 2010, 13:03)
Entry was gained by forcing open front door and gate. An undisclosed amount of cash and jewellery was taken.
    
Durban North, Station Ridge Road. Housebreaking - Residential (18 February 2010, 12:07)
Garage pedestrian door was forced open and entry was gained. Resident is not sure what was taken.

More often than not we install gates on the main doors and forget about a side door, or garage door that leads into the property. It’s a good idea to regularly view your property from a criminal’s perspective. Where would you break in first if you were the criminal? Or alternatively, leave it to the experts. Give Blue Security a call and request a complete assessment of your security measures – there is no charge for the service so you really have nothing to lose.
    
Amanzimtoti, Norwood Road. Housebreaking - Residential (18 February 2010, 14:11)
Suspects entered premises by forcing open the toilet window. Two laptops, 2 iPods, a camera, docking station and an unknown amount of jewellery was taken.

The alarm system was not armed in the above break-in, so these criminals had all the time in the world to search for the items they wanted.
    
Umgeni Park, Collard Road. Housebreaking - Residential (18 February 2010, 18:58)
A TV, DVD player and microwave was stolen.

Once again, the alarm system was not armed.  in the above break-in. What’s the use of going to the expense of installing an alarm – and then not using it. It’s a little like owning a gun, but not the bullets.
    
Amanzimtoti, Hillside Road. Housebreaking - Residential (19 February 2010, 06:26)
Two cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from premises whilst residents were asleep.
    
Forest Hills, Eastview Road. Housebreaking - Residential (19 February 2010, 13:42)
Suspects entered the property by de-railing the driveway gate. Suspects tied up the gardener and entered the property. R3200 in cash and jewellery was stolen.

Perhaps if the gardener had a remote panic button he could have called for help? Certainly a lot cheaper than R3200, Just an idea - use it, don’t use it.
    
Forest Hills, Central Avenue. Housebreaking - Residential (19 February 2010, 15:22)
Entry gained by forcing open front gate and door. Three computers, a laptop, camera, Playstation and games were stolen.
    
Sea View, Menin Road. Housebreaking - Residential (21 February 2010, 02:18)
Suspects broke the shop window with a brick. R700-00 was stolen.
   
Westmead, Young Road. Housebreaking - Business (17 February 2010, 04:34)
Entry gained by forcing open front door. Three computer towers and 2 monitors were stolen.
  
Morningside, 7th Avenue. Housebreaking - Business (17 February 2010, 04:55)
Suspects cut the front fence and forced open door gaining entry. A computer tower and an unknown amount of cash was stolen.
       
Glenwood / Glenmore, Davenport Road. Housebreaking - Business (17 February 2010, 07:21)
Entry gained by forcing open front window. A printer and computer tower were stolen.
    
Hillcrest, Milky Way Road. Housebreaking – Business (17 February 2010, 09:10)
Suspects stole 4 wheels from Nissan 1400 bakkie parked on site. Suspects also stole a battery from a Mitsubishi truck.
      
Kloof / Forest Hills, Village Road. Housebreaking - Business (18 February 2010, 02:54)
Back window and burglar bar was forced open. Computers were stolen.
    
Pinetown, Caversham Road. Housebreaking - Business (18 February 2010, 07:13)
Entry gained via rear glass window. 20 computers were stolen.

Wow, a large amount of equipment was stolen in the above burglary. These criminals had obviously done their homework, and knew that major transportation was required.

Durban Central, Umbilo Road. Housebreaking - Business (18 February 2010, 08:26)
Suspect stole all the outside copper taps and attempted to gain entry into property by breaking a window.
    
Glenwood / Glenmore, Devonshire Road. Housebreaking - Business (18 February 2010, 12:57)
Rear gate motor was stolen during the course of the night.
    
Glen Anil, Glen Anil Street. Housebreaking - Business (19 February 2010, 04:26)
Driveway gate was derailed and entry gained by forcing open front door. Two paintings worth R5000 were stolen.

Eish, it seems that even housebreakers have a taste for the finer things in life.

Westmead, Alexander Road. Housebreaking - Business (19 February 2010, 06:46)
Suspects forced open the change room window and burglar bars gaining entry. A computer was stolen.
          
Morningside, Avondale Road. Housebreaking - Business (20 February 2010, 20:01)
Entry gained by forcing open window. A microwave and computer were stolen.   
    
Umbilo, Sarnia Road. Housebreaking - Business (22 February 2010, 04:22)
Entry was gained via front door. Five computers and a pool table was stolen.

What the…!? A pool table? Now things are really getting freaky.
           
New Germany, Manchester Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (17 February 2010, 11:56)
White bakkie (NU 127-691) was stolen.
       
Chatsworth, Silverwest Avenue. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (18 February 2010, 04:43)
A tyre and 2 speakers were stolen from bakkie on premises.
    
Moseley Park, Saddle Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (19 February 2010, 07:24)
Suspects entered property and stole 4 tyres and rims from Toyota Corolla parked on the premises.
    
Waterfall / Crestholme, Valley Drive, Theft out of Motor Vehicle (20 February 2010, 08:27)
Suspect entered unlocked vehicle and stole the log book and a pair of shoes.

Huh, a log book….Why on earth…?

SUCCESSES

Amanzimtoti, Ocean View. Theft of Motor Vehicle (17 February 2010, 03:51)
Two black male suspects attempted to steal silver VW Citi Golf parked in the yard. Suspects disabled the alarm system and managed to open the passenger side door without any signs of tampering. Resident noticed the door open and went outside to check. The suspects fled the scene.

Westville, Brendon Lane. Housebreaking - Business (17 February 2010, 05:28)
Three suspects in a white VW Golf (reg unknown), entered property by cutting driveway gate locks. Suspects attempted to force open the front door and gate, when alarm sounded. Guards on site heard the alarm and investigated. Suspects fled the scene.

Morningside, 7th Avenue. Housebreaking - Business (21 February 2010, 05:31)
Entry gained by removing front door glass panel. A computer tower and DSTV unit was taken, but was later recovered outside the premises.

Amanzimtoti, Fern Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (20 February 2010, 19:00)
Two black male suspects damaged vehicle locks whilst attempting to steal a white bakkie parked on the roadside. The neighbours from across the road spotted the theft in progress. Suspects fled in their white VW Golf.

Congrats to these vigilant neighbours! Criminals obviously don’t like an audience.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:

Hillcrest, Rapson Road (18 February 2010, 08:20)  
Amanzimtoti, Lewis Terrace (18 February 2010, 10:59)
Amanzimtoti, Karridale Drive (19 February 2010, 04:11)  
Pinetown, Livingston Road (20 February 2010, 03:03)  
Waterfall, Brackenhill Road (21 February 2010, 01:19)
Greyville, St Mary's Avenue (21 February 2010, 21:37)
Cowies Hill, Old Main Road (22 February 2010, 00:00)
New Germany, Campbell Road (22 February 2010, 08:28)
Durban Central, St Andrews Street (22 February 2010, 10:45)
Hillcrest , Springside Road (22 February 2010, 13:42)
Cowies Hill, South Lane (17 February 2010, 11:18)
Berea, Sylvan Grove (18 February 2010, 07:28)
Forest Hills, Homestead Road (19 February 2010, 11:12)
Gillitts, Ashley Drive (20 February 2010, 09:26)
Waterfall / Cresthol, Howick Drive, 20 February 2010, 10:31)
Kloof / Forest Hills, Ronalds Road (20 February 2010, 13:14)
Durban Central, Monmouth Road (22 February 2010, 04:42)