BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEEDING 9 MARCH 2010

CRIME!? We know the statistics and most people know someone who has been affected by crime in some way. We hear about the modus operandi of criminals in our area on a daily basis, but is all this information negative?

The reason we’re posing the question is that occasionally we get accused of only focusing on the negative. To set the record straight the objective of the Blue Alert is not just to scare you, but rather to make you aware of criminal patterns, how and where crime is happening, and how you should be safeguarding yourselves from future incidents. Of course we also love telling you all about the criminals we did manage to catch, and this week we have quite a few success stories.

Our primary objective is to insure that the Blue Alert becomes an indispensable piece of ‘insider’ information to help prevent similar things happening to you! Speaking of which, let’s take a look at what’s been happening in Durban this week.

Summerveld, Summerhill Avenue. Armed Robbery – Residential (03 March 2010, 01:50)
Suspects gained entry via the rear window and held resident up at knifepoint. A TV, mini hi-fi and speakers were stolen.

Waterfall, Crestholme Drive. Armed Robbery – Residential (03 March 2010, 09:22)
Four black males entered the yard and held resident up at gunpoint. A flat screen TV and a set of house keys were stolen.
    
Glenwood, Francois Road. Armed Robbery - Business (04 March 2010, 23:09)
Manager was cashing up, when she was approached by 3 armed black males. One suspect was armed with a 9mm pistol. Two of the suspects jumped over the counter and into the cash office. Cash to the value of R18,700-00 was stolen.

Criminals often make their move at businesses opening and closing times. Please be very wary at these times, and ensure that you vary your timings to prevent the criminals from collecting too much information about your routine.
    
Isipingo, Wattle Place. Armed Robbery - Business (05 March 2010, 06:20)
The company’s nightshift guard was on his way home when he was approached by 3 black males (2 tall males and 1 short male wearing an orange sweater). The suspect armed with a fire-arm held him up demanded all his cash, fire-arm and cellular phone. The dayshift guard was also approached by the same suspects who robbed him of R2000-00 cash and his cellular phone. The suspects fled towards the squatter camp.
    
Lotus Park, Lotus Drive. Armed Robbery - Business (08 March 2010, 00:09)
Two armed black males entered the premises and ordered the staff and patrons to lie on the floor. The suspects, both armed with fire-arms, and then assaulted a staff member and some of the patrons with the butt of the fire-arm. Cash, cigarettes and liquor was stolen.
    
New Germany, Shepstone Road. Attempted Hijacking (03 March 2010, 07:29)
Resident stopped outside their premises, when they were approached by 3 armed black males. The vehicle keys, handbag, 2 cell phones and a laptop were stolen.
    
Isipingo, Dahlia Place. Hijacking (05 March 2010, 07:06)
Resident was leaving her property when 3 black males approached her vehicle. One suspect was armed with a fire-arm. The suspects forced their way into her Vehicle a blue Toyota Yaris (ND 440-978) and fled the scene. Resident described the suspects as 2 tall and 1 short male. The male with the fire-arm was wearing an orange/red sweater.

These 3 suspects are most likely the same 3 that held up the security guards earlier that morning. It’s scary to think that these criminals are so blasé that they would move onto their next criminal conquest within an hour of the last one. Odds are that hijacked vehicle was probably used to commit another crime.
    
Kloof / Forest Hills, Eastleigh Terrace.  Housebreaking - Residential (02 March 2010, 16:35)
Entry gained by smashing front window of the cottage. The entire cottage was ransacked.   
   
Morningside, Venice Road. Housebreaking - Residential (03 March 2010, 10:18)
A Ford Focus with 3 black males had entered the premises. Gate and front door were forced open. A TV, laptop and handbag was stolen.
    
Pinetown, Marian Road. Housebreaking – Residential (03 March 2010, 11:10)
Entry gained by forcing open front door and gate. A TV, hi-fi, DSTV and microwave was stolen.
      
Padfield Park, Spy Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 March 2010, 08:37)
Resident noticed 3 suspects, in a white Mazda bakkie, parked in his yard. As he approached them, they drove into the back of his vehicle and fled the scene. On later investigation it was found that the lounge window was forced open and the security gate cut. The entire property was ransacked.
      
Pinetown, Manors Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 March 2010, 13:38)
Suspects gained entry via open bathroom window. An undisclosed amount of jewellery and her old cellular phones were stolen.
    
Chatsworth, Damorosa. Housebreaking - Residential (04 March 2010, 13:39)
Rear window was forced open and burglar bars at the cottage were pushed in. A TV was stolen.
    
Westville, Rannoch Place. Housebreaking - Residential (05 March 2010, 11:25)
Rear gate was forced open and bottom half of the rear door was booted in. An unknown amount of Jewellery and clothing was stolen.

Pinetown, Fairview Crescent. Housebreaking - Residential (05 March 2010, 13:54)
Entry gained via back lounge window, which was forced open. An undisclosed amount of jewellery was stolen.
    
New Germany, Gordon Pirre Road. Housebreaking – Residential (05 March 2010, 19:33)
Entry gained by forcing open front lounge window. A hi-fi was stolen.    
    
Amanzimtoti, Thomas Halstead. Housebreaking - Residential (05 March 2010, 23:22)
Entry gained via unprotected window. Two laptops were stolen.
    
Morningside, Audley Gardens. Housebreaking - Residential (06 March 2010, 09:00)
On checking his camera footage, resident noticed a silver-grey Condor Avante had stopped outside the gates at around 18h10pm that night. Two black males exited the vehicle. One suspect pressed the intercom and the other male forced opened the pedestrian gate. Cameras were turned upwards. Entry was gained by smashing open window. Nothing was stolen.

These guys certainly know what to look out for…although I don’t see the sense in turning the cameras away from the crime, if they have already been filmed approaching. Obviously they don’t like an audience.
    
Hillcrest, Loop Road. Housebreaking - Residential (06 March 2010, 12:41)
Front driveway gate was forced open. Suspects then went to the back of the premises and ripped off the kitchen window. The rear bottom half of the kitchen wooden door was kicked open and entry was gained. A TV and DVD player was stolen.
    
Montclair, Woodlands. Housebreaking - Residential (06 March 2010, 12:52)
Blue Security Reaction Officer reports that upon arrival, he was told by the neighbours that they saw a white Honda Ballade with 3 black males enter the yard. Suspects forced the bottom half of the stable door open and wedged open the security gate. A laptop was stolen.
    
Durban North, Kelvin Place. Housebreaking - Residential (07 March 2010, 15:22)
Driveway gate was derailed and front door and gate smashed in. Suspects took a computer system, 3 bottles of wine and the sound system. Suspects damaged the plasma TV but failed to remove it from the premises.

These guys were either wine connoisseurs or were planning to celebrate afterwards.
   
Ashley, Retief Street. Housebreaking - Residential (07 March 2010, 16:04)
Entry gained via rear bathroom window. R20,000 worth of jewellery was stolen.
    
Amanzimtoti, Beach Road. Housebreaking - Residential (07 March 2010, 16:45)
Resident’s front door was unlocked and front gate was left open. Suspects came in and took a DVD Player and R350-00.

People, people…please ensure that you lock your doors, even if you just plan to “pop outside for a second”. A second is all it takes for a criminal to seize the opportunity.
    
Waterfall, Rock Road. Housebreaking - Residential (08 March 2010, 12:24)
Entry gained via the study window. A laptop and charger were stolen.
    
New Germany, Erfmann Road. Housebreaking - Residential (08 March 2010, 20:31)
Main entrance gate had been completely removed and stolen from the property. A canopy which was in the yard was also missing.

OMG, now that’s just not cricket. Stealing someone’s gate is like stealing the alarm out of a car!
    
Windermere, Windermere Road. Housebreaking - Business (04 March 2010, 05:54)
Entry gained by smashing front glass window and cutting burglar bars. Three computer towers and 1 computer screen was stolen.
    
Umbilo, Umbilo Road. Housebreaking - Business (04 March 2010, 07:24)
Entry was gained via upstairs window which was not protected by any burglar bars. A laptop, computer tower and 2 computer screens were stolen.
    
Pinetown, Greathead Road. Housebreaking - Business (04 March 2010, 23:29)
Entry gained by forcing open front door and gate. A computer monitor was stolen.
    
Durban North, Ennisdale Drive. Housebreaking – Business (05 March 2010, 07:22)
Entry gained by forcing open window with a spade. Three flat screen computers, and a 42 inch plasma screen TV was stolen.

Please ensure that any garden tools/equipment is safely locked away. Criminals most often won’t carry housebreaking tools with them, just in case they get stopped by the SAPS (which believe it or not does still happen). So you’re doing them a real favour by making your gardening equipment available to them.
    
Umbilo, Gale Street. Housebreaking - Business (05 March 2010, 08:51)
Suspects gained entry into the premises via a warehouse window on the 1st floor which has no burglar bars. Entire premises had been ransacked.
    
Glenwood, Davenport Road. Housebreaking - Business (06 March 2010, 10:03)
Entry gained by smashing louver windows. A computer screen was stolen.    

Glenwood, Brand Road. Housebreaking – Business (06 March 2010, 11:02)
Entry gained by smashing window. A flat screen monitor and computer tower was stolen.
    
Isipingo, Thomas Lane. Housebreaking - Business (07 March 2010, 01:05)
Entry gained via rear door. A large amount of clothing was stolen.
   
Morningside, Florida Road. Housebreaking - Business (07 March 2010, 02:19)
Entry gained via upper level window. A LCD TV and cash register was stolen.

Springfield Park, Palm Field Road. Housebreaking - Business (07 March 2010, 05:45)
Suspects gained entry by forcing open the front door. Two computers were taken.

Durban, Gale Street. Housebreaking - Business (08 March 2010, 03:07)
Entry gained by smashing window. A flat screen computer was stolen.
        
Glen Anil, Sagewood Way. Attempted Theft of Motor Vehicle (04 March 2010, 04:10)
Suspects damaged the driver’s door lock and central locking but failed to gain entry.
    
Assagay, Alverstone Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (05 March 2010, 06:33)
A green VW Golf chico parked in resident’s yard was broken into. The stereo, amplifier and speakers were stolen. All four rims and tyres were stolen.
    
Shongweni, Milky way Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (05 March 2010, 08:15)
Four tyres were stolen from white Nissan 1400 bakkie and the battery stolen from a white Mitzubishi truck.

Ashley, Fifth Avenue. Theft of Motor Vehicle (05 March 2010, 13:43)
A red VW Golf 2 (NV 29676)  was stolen from outside resident’s premises. The vehicle had no tracking system. Suspects headed in an Easterly direction.
    
Pinetown, Meller Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (07 March 2010, 18:19)
Security guard at church was held up by 2 armed suspects. They fled in stolen vehicle, a white VW citi Golf (NU 133-509).
    
Amanzimtoti, Rosslyn Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (08 March 2010, 14:21)
White VW Polo Player (registration - keith 4 zn) was on mechanics ramp for repairs when it was stolen.

Pinetown, Livingstone Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (05 March 2010, 12:35)
White VW Golf (ND 511-070) parked outside resident’s premises was broken into. Three suspects managed to open both front doors and damage the ignition, but were unable to start the vehicle. Suspects fled the scene in a silver vehicle.

SUCCESSES    

Amanzimtoti, School Road. Housebreaking - Residential (03 March 2010, 01:14)
Garage door was forced opened and entry gained. A bush cutter was stolen. Blue Security Reaction Officer arrived on the scene to see suspects jumping over the boundary wall. Stolen item was later recovered.

Greenwood Park, Park Station Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 March 2010, 01:00)
Blue Security Reaction Officer found suspect hiding in the resident’s garage.

Forest Hills, Regent Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 March 2010, 12:03)
Kitchen window was forced open and entry was gained. A playstation, watches, cameras and jewellery was stolen. Blue Security Reaction Officer managed to apprehend 2 suspects. Stolen items were recovered.

Glenwood, Frere Road. Housebreaking – Residential (05 March 2010, 21:10)
Two black males were found pushing a 50 cc petrol scooter down the Road. When Reaction Officer approached the suspects they dropped scooter and fled.     

Amanzimtoti, Kingsway Road. Attempted Theft of Motor Vehicle (07 March 2010, 03:32)
Five black males attempted to break into a Ford Laser parked on the roadside. Driver’s side door was damaged but no entry was gained. The suspects fled in a black Isuzu KB bakkie (NUZ 15619) which was later spotted by a Blue Security Reaction Officer on The R603 northbound. He pulled the driver over and contacted SAPS who arrested suspects.

Well done to our Boys in Blue. We know we’re that much safer with you out on the road!

Windermere, Windermere Road. Housebreaking - Business (07 March 2010, 17:35)
Entry gained by smashing rear window and pushing in the burglar bars. Two computer towers and 3 monitors were found missing. Blue Security Reaction Officer then went to the rear of the building and found the stolen items hidden out of sight. Two suspects, who had arrived back to collect the stolen goods, saw Blue Security Reaction officer and fled the scene. Blue Security Reaction officer gave chase and apprehended both suspects.
  
We end this Blue Alert with a contribution from a reader,

“Thank you for your “blue alert” email. I was a victim in the John Dory’s robbery. After the event there were two newspaper articles both describing the incident, although naturally everyone has a different perspective of the same event, both the articles were factually incorrect.

After giving it some thought, I came to realize that in all probability, the truth had not been told as it happened because it would “tip off” the criminals and give them an advantage for future crimes! Nevertheless, there must be a way of telling people how to protect themselves (and their property) without notifying these criminals.  (Perhaps your emails are really the best way).

At our table, there were 7 of us.  Everyone had a cell phone and watch; there were 2 Rolex watches between us. Two mothers were both wearing very good rings. Altogether, our table lost – one wedding band.

The truth is, that the robbers were outsmarted that night at John Dory’s and chased out of the restaurant by the diners actions. (but the newspapers never said that)

These are the ideas we put to use:
When we observed the criminals coming in, we dumped valuables under the table (cell phones and watches). Rings were dropped into a glass of coke.  One ring would not come off, so when the robber was at my side, I suggested he pull, and after some pulling and pushing, he failed, and gave up, (but it bought some time). One diner shouted, “the police are here”,  the women then screamed the entire restaurant erupted into screams and shouts, and the robber in the kitchen who took fright, fled, followed by the others, to the ROAR of diners shouting and banging hands and chairs on the floor.

Without risking lives, South Africans have to sensibly resist crime – surely we don’t have to be SUCH easy targets.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:

Carrington Heights, Mountain Rise (04 March 2010, 17:08)
Chatsworth, Topaz Avenue (03 March 2010, 04:05) 
Durban, Essenwood Road (03 March 2010, 02:43)
Durban, Umbilo Road (07 March 2010, 16:10)
Durban, Snell Parade (08 March 2010, 02:48)
Durban, corner of Argyle and Stamfordhill Road (04 March 2010, 03:26)
Durban, Mitchel Road (04 March 2010, 08:47)
Gillits, Tudor Road (08 March 2010, 14:34)
Glenmore, Philamere Road (04 March 2010, 11:41)
Glenwood, Bulwer Road (04 March 2010, 08:40)
Kloof, Uplands Drive (05 March 2010, 19:52)
Kloof, Firwood Road (03 March 2010, 10:16)
Kloof / Forest Hills, Abelia Road (06 March 2010, 10:25)
Malvern, Nellie van Rensburg (04 March 2010, 08:36)
Maydon Wharf, Wisely Road (08 March 2010, 00:55)
Montclair, Impala Drive (09 March 2010, 01:07)
New Germany, Blase Road (03 March 2010, 03:14)
Pinetown, Lombard Street (05 March 2010, 21:47)
Pinetown, Padfield gardens (07 March 2010, 12:27)
Queensburgh, Newton walker crescent (04 March 2010, 11:04)
Sherwood, Deering lane (04 March 2010, 15:02)
Umbilo, Gale Street (04 March 2010, 02:08)
Umbilo, Gale Street (08 March 2010, 03:34)
Waterfall, Brackenhill Road (04 March 2010, 05:34)
Westridge, Essex Grove (05 March 2010, 10:39)
Wyebank, Wyebank Road (06 March 2010, 01:46)