BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEEDING THE 2 MARCH 2010

This past week there have been an unusually high number of safes that have been stolen. Criminals know that this is where you keep your prized possessions, and of course your firearm if you own one. It’s best to install your safe in an inconspicuous place (Other than the bedroom cupboard!) and consider investing in a dummy safe which you can keep in the bedroom cupboard!

We’ve also had a number of reports of break-in’s occurring where the alarms were not armed. This only makes things that much easier for the criminal element. Let’s take a look at what has been going on.

Assagay, Fraser Road. Armed Robbery – Residential (24 February 2010, 16:39)
Staff member was robbed at gun point for his cell phone.
    
Umhlanga / La Lucia, Oyster Crescent. Armed Robbery – Residential (27 February 2010, 20:40)
Residents were watching TV when 3 black males forced themselves into the house via the front door using a crowbar. The suspects were armed with firearms and held resident up at gunpoint. Suspects stole a LCD TV valued at R27 000-00.

Huh!? How hectic is this country when somebody can simply force their way into your home and steal your TV ….WHILE YOU”RE STILL WATCHING IT!
 
Glen Anil, Old North Coast Road. Armed Robbery – Business (25 February 2010, 16:56)
Resident was held up at knife point. A laptop was stolen.
    
Springfield Park, Londonberry Crescent. Armed Robbery – Business (26 February 2010, 14:54)
Two armed suspects robbed the premises with an undisclosed amount of cash, cell phones, airtime and cigarettes.
   
Kloof / Forest Hills, Umzwilili Road. Armed Robbery – Business (27 February 2010, 01:07)
Entry was gained via the rear upstairs window which was left open. A cash box, containing an unknown amount of cash, was stolen.
        
Waterfall, Inanda Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 February 2010, 09:21)
Electric fence was cut. Suspects cut the burglar bars and gained entry.
    
Amanzimtoti, Sheila Place. Housebreaking – Residential (24 February 2010, 15:25)
Property was not protected by alarm system. Driveway gate padlock was cut open and kitchen door kicked open. An empty firearm safe and an unknown amount of jewellery were stolen.

The only thing positive about this incident is that the firearm safe was empty. The last thing we need is yet another stolen firearm in the hands of a criminal idiot. Touch wood, this year to date we have only had one reported stolen firearm.
    
Gillitts, York Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 February 2010, 15:28)
Resident suspects that there was someone with a key to the premises as there was no sign of forced entry. A safe with his identity documents, passport and other various documents was stolen.
    
Morningside, Stamfordhill Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 February 2010, 22:41)
Entry was gained via window above air-conditioning unit. A computer was stolen.
      
Mosely Park, Rushbrook Road. Housebreaking – Residential (25 February 2010, 10:42)
Suspects gained entry into the premises via the roof. A safe with an unknown amount of jewellery was stolen.
    
Amanzimtoti, Adams Road. Housebreaking – Residential (25 February 2010, 16:56)
Suspects gained entry via rear window. A computer, cell phone and digital camera was stolen.

Amanzimtoti, Anna Scheepers Road. Housebreaking - Residential (26 February 2010, 00:33)
Suspects broke into the hut in the back yard, which was not protected by the alarm. A crowbar was used to break the lock and entry was gained. A weed eater and 2 lawnmowers were stolen. The lawnmower was later recovered outside the neighbour’s property. 

Waterfall / Crestholme, Crestholme Drive. Housebreaking - Residential (26 February 2010, 12:38)
Suspect broke down the front door and stole a 74cm TV and a fridge.

OK, so you’re not going to see this chap skulking down the road with a fridge tied to his back and a TV strapped to his head (Mind you, this is Africa so anything is possible) Have you never wondered how all of the huge flat screen TV’s get out of our suburbs after they’re stolen? Because I don’t know about you but I’m going to sit up and take notice when a fancy TV comes sashaying down the road.

The truth is that a ploy very often used by housebreakers is to stash stolen items in the nearby bush and then come back later with a car (often a taxi) to collect their bounty.

Amanzimtoti, Kingsley Terrace. Housebreaking - Residential (27 February 2010, 02:30)
Suspects forced open lounge window, to gain entry. Resident heard noises and woke up to see the suspect jumping over the wall with his flat screen TV. Resident pursued the suspect, who then dropped the TV.

See, we told you that a TV sashaying down the road (or jumping over the wall) will attract attention!
    
Durban North, Haig Road. Housebreaking - Residential (27 February 2010, 11:21)
Suspects broke the rear kitchen window and forced open the burglar bars. An undisclosed amount of jewellery was stolen.
    
Hillcrest, Homestead Avenue. Housebreaking - Residential (28 February 2010, 02:11)
Suspects smashed the rear window and gained entry into the premises. A pair of golf shoes was stolen.

C’mon, you can’t be serious?
    
Durban North, fairway Drive. Housebreaking - Residential (28 February 2010, 14:51)
Entry gained via bathroom window. A laptop and jewellery was stolen.
    
Kloof, Abelia Road. Housebreaking – Residential (01 March 2010, 01:50)
Entry was gained by cutting the rear window burglar bars. Resident noticed the 2 suspects on the premises and pressed the panic button. The suspects fled with a cellular phone, computer and handbag.
    
Waterfall, Rowles Place. Housebreaking - Residential (01 March 2010, 16:18)
Suspect gained entry by removing panels from the front door. A computer and printer were stolen.

Why remove the wooden door panels? This way they don’t have to open the door, which means that don’t set off the alarm straight away, which gives them a bit more time to find the valuables.
    
Clare Estate, Spencer Road. Housebreaking - Residential (01 March 2010, 20:58)
Suspects gained entry via bedroom window which was not protected by alarm system. A laptop, video camera and an undisclosed amount of jewellery was stolen.
    
Hillcrest, Springside Road. Housebreaking - Residential (02 March 2010, 03:27)
Suspects forced open the kitchen window whilst residents were asleep. Resident heard a noise and woke up. Suspects fled with his wallet containing undisclosed amount of cash and cards and residents cell phone.

Westmead, Clark Road. Housebreaking - Business (24 February 2010, 03:10)
Suspects removed the air-conditioning unit from the back of the premises gaining entry. A laptop was stolen.
    
Sydenham, Randles Road. Housebreaking - Business (24 February 2010, 07:56)
Roller shutter door at the rear of the premises was forced open. Suspects then smashed the rear cash office window and gained entry into the cash office area. Suspects used a cutting torch and broke into 3 safes and stole R100 000 cash, cigarettes to the value of R40 000 and a laptop. Approximately R300 000.00 worth of damages was done to the premises. Security guard on duty was assaulted by the suspects.

Eish, these guys came prepared. Clearly they weren’t just the local “skabengas”, these guys were professionals, which makes them even more dangerous.
    
Greyville, Henwood Road. Housebreaking - Business (24 February 2010, 08:09)
Suspects smashed the side boardroom window which was not secured and forced the bottom half of the door open, gaining entry into the premises. A computer, 2 laptops and a flask was stolen. The boardroom and reception are had no alarm protection. 
   
Durban Central, Point Road. Housebreaking - Business (25 February 2010, 05:00)
Suspects forced the pedestrian gate opened and cut the barbed wire fence in order to gain entry. Rims, radiators and aluminium bumpers were stolen.
    
Pinetown, Lytton Crescent, Housebreaking - Business (25 February 2010, 19:26)
Entertainment system from the bar area was stolen.
    
Durban Central, cnr Argyle and Stamfordhill. Housebreaking - Business (01 March 2010, 08:16)
Entry was gained by breaking window. Motor cycle engines and parts were stolen.
   
Athlone Park, Norwood Road. Housebreaking - Business (01 March 2010, 10:44)
Suspects derailed front main gate and gained entry into property via rear door. A hi-fi, jewellery and a camera was stolen.
    
Durban North, Kensington Drive. Housebreaking - Business (02 March 2010, 02:18)
Suspects broke the perimeter concrete palisade and gained entry by forcing open the computer room door. Eight computers were stolen.
    
Queensmead, Downie Crescent. Theft (02 March 2010, 03:55)
Three suspects jumped over the fence and stole old window panes which were lying at the rear of the premises.

SUCCESSES

Rossburgh, Melton Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (28 February 2010, 18:03)
Five black males robbed a female at knifepoint. A handbag and purse was stolen. Blue Security Reaction Officer gave chase and managed to recover the bag and the wallet. Suspect was arrested.

Pinetown, Skye Place. Hijacking (24 February 2010, 19:19)
Residents opened the gate to enter property when they were approached by 2 armed black males who demanded the keys for their white Toyota Corolla. Vehicle was successfully recovered by tracking company.
    
Glenmore, Fielden Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (28 February 2010, 20:13)
A stolen white Toyota Corolla was found abandoned on roadside.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:
    
Amanzimtoti, Hudd Road (27 February 2010, 02:16)  
Amanzimtoti, Victory Centre (26 February 2010, 03:08) 
Assagay, JB Mcintosh Road (24 February 2010, 04:24)  
Assagay, Khaled Road (26 February 2010, 02:53) 
Berea, Berea Road (25 February 2010, 06:41)
Bothas Hill, Old Main Road (24 February 2010, 02:23)
Durban Central, Point Road (28 February 2010, 21:47)  
Gillitts, Halstead Road (28 February 2010, 12:56)
Hillcrest, Homestead Avenue (25 February 2010, 09:44)
Kloof / Forest Hills, Park Lane (27 February 2010, 02:51) 
Morningside, 7th Avenue (24 February 2010, 01:48) 
Morningside, Windermere Road (26 February 2010, 09:37)
Pinetown, High Ridge Road (01 March 2010, 11:49) 
Pinetown, Livingstone Road (28 February 2010, 16:46)  
Pinetown, Manors Road (26 February 2010, 14:10) 
Rosehill, Atterbury Road (28 February 2010, 17:12)  
Umbilo, Umbilo Road (01 March 2010, 06:56) 
Waterfall / Crestholme, Crestholme Drive (26 February 2010, 14:45)
Westville, Cullingworth Road (25 February 2010, 00:15)
Westville, Rockdale Avenue (27 February 2010, 12:37)