BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEEDING 20 JULY 2010 

A couple of weeks ago we started a new category in our alerts under the heading, “Gatecrashing”. This week incidents of “gatecrashing” account for almost 40% of the housebreakings. Let’s take a look at what’s been going on this week.

Umhlanga / La Lucia, Sunningdale Centre. Armed Robbery – Business (17 July 2010, 00:18)
Suspect pulled out a firearm and pointed it at security guard. Suspect then fled in a silver BMW. Nothing was stolen.

OK, that’s a bit freaky, a criminal walks into a store, pulls out a gun and then runs away? Perhaps he suddenly remembered that he had left the stove on? Or maybe he was just practicing, you know, getting a feel for things before he embarks on a career in crime.
    
Newlands West, Chardale Avenue. Hijacking (13 July 2010, 18:45)
Resident’s were driving a red Toyota Corolla (ND 129916) out of their driveway when they were approached by 3 armed black males. The suspects drove off with both occupants in the vehicle. The couple were later found outside the Westwood Mall in Westville by the metro police but the vehicle has not been recovered.

This is a scary situation! Hijackers may drive off with you or you may even be ordered to drive. If you are driving, do so responsibly and do not do anything out of the ordinary. Always remain quiet unless you need to reply to a question or clarify an instruction. Once you have been released, make sure that you are out of harm’s reach before moving to get help.
    
Pinelands, Leghorn Place. Hijacking (14 July 2010, 14:23)
Resident was parked outside a school in her grey VW Golf 4 when she was approached by 3 black males armed with pistols. Suspects attempted to hijack her but then decided that the adjacent red VW Polo (ND 343684) was a better choice, and forced the driver out of the car. Suspects drove off in the red Polo. One of the suspects fired 2-3 shots and tried to take another vehicle (silver VW Golf cli) but was unsuccessful. Suspects fled the scene.

Can you believe how brazen these miscreants are? Unfortunately schools (including crèches) are very often targeted by hijackers. Parents (normally moms) are pretty much all sitting ducks, waiting outside the school, window open and keys in the ignition. It doesn’t really get much easier if you’re a hijacker.
    
Caversham Glen, Gardenia Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (14 July 2010, 15:29)
Suspects forced open driveway gate. Entry gained by forcing open bottom half of front door. The Alarm system was not armed. A plasma TV and DVD player were stolen.
    
New Germany, Thole Street.  Gatecrashing - Residential (15 July 2010, 10:06)
Suspects derailed front driveway gates and gained entry by smashing in kitchen door. A microwave, cellphone and 3 pairs of takkies were stolen.
    
Durban North, Glenmore Crescent. Gatecrashing - Residential (16 July 2010, 18:12)
Front gates were derailed and front door forced open. Entry gained into premises. On resident’s arrival home, she saw a metallic blue Toyota drive away from her premises. A LCD TV, laptop, jewellery and other valuables were stolen.
 
Riverside, Buckleigh Place. Gatecrashing - Residential (16 July 2010, 19:46)
Front driveway gate derailed. Entry gained by forcing open front door. A plasma TV was stolen.

Durban North, Lansdowne Crescent. Gatecrashing - Residential (17 July 2010, 18:14)
Suspects derailed front driveway gates. Entry was gained by forcing open front door and gate. A laptop was stolen.
    
Glen Anil, Spruce Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (17 July 2010, 19:01)
Suspects forced open front driveway gates and gained entry by smashing open front door. Two TV’s were stolen and the premises were ransacked.
    
Umhlanga, Ridge Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (17 July 2010, 19:08)
Suspects derailed front driveway gates. Entry gained by forcing open front door/security gate. A laptop valued at R15 000 was stolen.
    
Westriding, Lindsay Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (19 July 2010, 10:50)
Two black males entered the premises in a grey Corsa bakkie via the driveway gate. Entry was gained by forcing open the front door. A flat screen TV was stolen.
    
Westmead, Sugarbush Crescent. Gatecrashing – Business (14 July 2010, 05:15)
Suspects derailed driveway gates and entered property. Front door was forced open. Suspects tried to steal a safe but failed to carry it out. A watch was stolen.
           
Padfield Park, Beare Drive. Housebreaking - Residential (14 July 2010, 11:44)
Suspects jumped over fence, and gained entry by forcing open rear office window. Burglar guards were removed and left on the floor outside. A LCD TV was stolen.
    
Sea Cow Lake, Seacowlake Road. Housebreaking - Residential (16 July 2010, 04:38)
Suspect forced open the tool shed and stole electrical cords.
    
Hillcrest, Highland Road. Housebreaking - Residential (16 July 2010, 19:53)
Entry gained by forcing open front door & gate. A laptop was stolen.
    
Clare Estate, Spencer Road. Housebreaking - Residential (17 July 2010, 04:12)
Suspect broke the kitchen window gaining entry. A hi fi was stolen.
    
Glenmore, Hyder Road. Housebreaking - Residential (17 July 2010, 17:25)
Suspects gained entry through dining room window. A valuable Omega watch, a Fossil watch, Sony Bravia 42 inch TV, Canon digital camera, Apple iPod, and Nokia n73 cellphone were stolen. Resident’s dog was assaulted by suspects and was injured in the leg.

Geez, these guys were brand conscious, that’s for sure.
    
Durban North, Cablan Place. Housebreaking - Residential (18 July 2010, 13:31)
Entry gained by forcing open pedestrian gate and door. A flat screen TV was stolen.
    
Kloof, Klooflands Road. Housebreaking - Residential (19 July 2010, 02:52)
Suspects gained entry via an open window. A TV, cellphone, purse containing cash and clothing from the washing line were stolen.
        
Caversham, Marianridge Drive. Housebreaking - Business (14 July 2010, 05:56)
Suspects may have been hiding inside the store during lock up time. Various items to an unknown value were stolen. Suspects exited via the rear corner of the tin metal roof sheeting.

I’ve heard of hide and seek, but this takes it to a new level.
    
Umgeni, Umgeni Road. Housebreaking - Business (14 July 2010, 07:16)
Entry gained via a small window at the rear of the premises. Cash was stolen from cash box.

Pinetown, Glenugie Road. Housebreaking - Business (14 July 2010, 08:05)
Suspects closed the water mains outside the property and stole copper water pipes from the wall.
    
Westville, High Wycombe Road. Housebreaking - Business (15 July 2010, 05:25)
Entry gained via rear entrance sliding gate. Locks were cut and rear sliding door forced open. A safe in the office area was forced open with a crowbar and a undisclosed amount of cash and a computer tower were stolen. Suspects fled in a white bakkie.
    
Durban North, Acutt Avenue. Housebreaking - Business (16 July 2010, 20:42)
Suspects forced open the garage door on his premises & stole fishing gear to the value of +/- R6000.
    
Warner Beach, Kingsway. Housebreaking - Business (17 July 2010, 05:02)
Entry gained by forcing open front burglar gate and entrance door. Eight computers and 6 screens were stolen.

Durban Field Street. Housebreaking - Business (18 July 2010, 22:30)
Suspects smashed glass of front door, gaining entry. Twenty carpets were stolen.
    
Hatton Estate, Collington Crescent. Mugging – Assault (16 July 2010, 14:37)
Sixteen year old girl was standing outside her driveway, waiting for her transport to arrive, when she was attacked by a black male. He tried to strangle her and punched her in the chest. Suspect fled with her cellphone. The cellphone was later recovered further down the Road.

We could suggest that you never let your children wait outside, but let’s get real, if you’re not safe on your own driveway, where are you safe? The only advice that is appropriate here is to teach vigilance from an early age. It is crucially important as a woman that you are always aware of your surroundings so that you can avoid potentially dangerous situations. It doesn’t matter whether you are at home, at the mall, a club, parking garage or at the beach – There is no need to be paranoid, but be alert, be aware of what is happening around you and listen to your instincts.
    
Bothas Hill, Clement Stott Road. Theft (16 July 2010, 12:56)
Clothes from washing line were stolen.

Now there is a nice old fashioned crime for a change. Do remember when washing being stolen off the line was the most of our troubles?
    
Pinetown, Henwood Road. Theft (17 July 2010, 07:23)
Two water meters outside the premises were stolen.
    
Durban North, Northumberland Place. Theft (18 July 2010, 05:25)
A bicycle was stolen from the yard.
        
Pinetown, Old Main Road. Theft (19 July 2010, 02:48)
Blue Security Reaction Officer was patrolling the area when he noticed water gushing out of resident’s yard. On investigation it was found that his water meter had been stolen.

This is the 2nd incident of a stolen water meters in Pinetown in two days, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to connect the dots. Clearly with the price of water some bright spark is on the hunt for water meters with a lower reading than his. Sorry buddy, Uncle Mike and the nice people at Metro Water don’t give refunds if your meter reading goes backwards.
    
Umbilo, Payne Road. Theft (19 July 2010, 03:06)
A plastic garden table and 10 chairs were stolen from the front yard.

Ah, there we go - another old fashioned crime. Makes me hanker after the good old days…

Amanzimtoti, Shepstone Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle (14 July 2010, 07:30)
Suspects gained entry by cutting the front gate lock. A silver BMW 5 series (ND 167793) was stolen from the unlocked garage.

Westriding, Elizabeth Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (19 July 2010, 08:39)
A grey Honda Jazz parked in the car-park had its passenger window smashed. A bag was stolen.
    
Malvern, Bowden Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (20 July 2010, 01:58)
Suspects jumped over wall and broke small corner glass of the rear passenger window of red Toyota Corolla 1.6 parked in the yard. Suspects fled when car alarm activated. A steering lock was stolen.

OK, you have to admit that there is a bit of irony in this incident. Stealing the security device!?
    
Escombe, Jubilee Crescent. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (20 July 2010, 03:32)
Two suspects jumped over fence and entered complex. Resident’s white Opel Corsa was in the parking area just outside the garage. Suspects smashed the front passenger window. A Sony mp3 player face was stolen.

SUCCESSES

Cowies Hill, Ormiston Road. Housebreaking - Residential (14 July 2010, 01:52)
Suspects damaged the rear fence gained entry through a window, which had no signs of forced entry. Suspects stole a bag, but it was later recovered.

Glenmore, Grosvenor and Bowen Road. Housebreaking - Residential (14 July 2010, 04:14)
Blue Security Reaction Officer reported, whilst doing a patrol on Grosvernor and Bowen road, he noticed a black male carrying 2 bags. When Blue Security Reaction Officer pulled over, the suspect threw the bags on the ground and ran into the bush. A stolen Aria guitar, monitor, keyboard and mouse were recovered.

That’s music to my ears.

Westriding, Patricia Road. Housebreaking - Residential (19 July 2010, 03:20)
Black male forced open dining room window and burglar guards to enter. Suspect was apprehended.

Durban Central, St Andrews Street. Theft (19 July 2010, 02:26)
Two black male patrons were seen on CCTV camera trying to steal items from a handbag. Blue Security Reaction Officer apprehended the suspects.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:

Amanzimtoti, Ritz Road (14 July 2010, 17:19)
Amanzimtoti, Bhengu Road (18 July 2010, 15:51)
Amanzimtoti, Beamsley Court. (14 July 2010, 06:53)
Assagay, Assagay Road (16 July 2010, 13:13)
Bluff, Marshall Avenue (14 July 2010, 17:41)
Bothas Hill, Mkhize Road (15 July 2010, 12:06)
Durban, Brickhill Road (19 July 2010, 03:24)
Glenwood / Glenmore, Mountain Rise Road (17 July 2010, 09:23)
Hillary, Skegness Road (15 July 2010, 13:43)
Hillary, Freemantle Road (15 July 2010, 14:03)
Isipingo, Sayan Road (16 July 2010, 02:46)
Kloof, Klooflands Road (19 July 2010, 02:27)
Kloof, Emolweni Road (19 July 2010, 04:52)
Kloof, Igwababa Road (15 July 2010, 11:20)
Pinetown, Old Main Road (18 July 2010, 03:39)
Pinetown, Shepstone Road (19 July 2010, 05:39)
Pinetown, Underwood Road. (17 July 2010, 03:56)
Waterfall, Mpushini Road (14 July 2010, 10:05)
Westmead, Sugarbush Crescent (15 July 2010, 00:29)
Westmead, Westmead Road (16 July 2010, 02:29)
Westville, Killan Road (15 July 2010, 12:44)