BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEEDING 11 NOVEMBER 2010

This past week has seen guns blazing and lots of hell-raising with many hijackings and armed robberies taking place in the Durban area. The criminals are often armed and very dangerous.

Let’s take a look at what’s been going on. For a change we’ll start this edition of the Blue Alert with a success story:

Westville North, Sunny Brae Drive. Armed Robbery - Residential (04 November 2010, 14:33:50)
On responding to a Panic Alarm, Blue Security Reaction Officer found the driveway gate wide open. As he drove in he observed two black males loading goods into a VW Polo. The suspects fled as soon as they noticed the Reaction Vehicle.

The Reaction Officer immediately proceeded to the residence where he found the client, a heavily pregnant woman, her domestic helper and gardener. He established that they had been the victims of an armed robbery, which was in progress when he arrived. Once he ascertained that they were unharmed he returned to his vehicle to call for back-up in locating the armed suspects. As he got to his vehicle one of the armed suspects ambushed him from behind and fired two shots at him - one shot grazed his ear and as he turned around the second hit him low on the front his bullet proof vest. The Reaction Officer returned fire, discharging 3 shots towards the suspect which struck him in his stomach. The reaction officer then disarmed the wounded suspected and proceeded to search for the second suspect who had fled the scene – he was later found and arrested by Westville SAPS.

Talk about a gunfight at the OK Coral! Kudos to Reaction Officer Kenney Moodley, a 25 year security industry veteran, for the way in which he handled the entire incident. We’re really proud to call you one of our own.

There are a number of lessons to be learned from this incident, not the least of which is that more and more common criminals are armed and will not hesitate to shoot. Bear in mind, this was not a bank robbery, or a cash in transit heist – this was an ordinary household, in an ordinary suburb on an ordinary day – it could have happened to any one of you reading this story right now!

So please, please, please do not be naïve and believe that it could never happen to you. By the same token there is no reason to get overly paranoid, turn your home in Fort Knox and never venture out. Living in South Africa is a lifestyle decision, part of that decision is to take appropriate measures to ensure your safety and that of your family.

The second lesson that we think is an extremely important one is the benefits of CellForce, an emergency panic service that allows Blue Security clients to use their cell phone to discreetly raise a panic alarm without having to communicate verbally or activate a siren. In this particular situation the client was unable to activate her alarm, but had the presence of mind to use her CellForce panic facility which alerted us to the situation and facilitated the rapid response. We don’t even want to imagine how this situation could have turned out if this client did not have access to CellForce.
     
Kloof, Jameson Terrace. Armed Robbery - Residential (04 November 2010, 19:35:18)
Four suspects entered via the main gates which were left open. Suspects then forced open burglar guards of bathroom window gaining entry. Resident ran to the bedroom and attempted to close the door, but suspects managed to hold the door open. Armed suspect held resident up at gun point demanding laptop, 2 cellphones, wallet and jewellery.
         
Amanzimtoti, St Boniface Maze. Hijacking (03 November 2010, 19:41:00)
Two armed black males jumped out of a green VW Polo and hijacked resident in her driveway. Suspects fled in charcoal VW Golf 4 (ND 112671).
     
Amanzimtoti, Adams Road. Hijacking (04 November 2010, 20:40:18)
Two armed black males exited a blue Toyota Yaris hatch back (no reg) and hijacked resident as she was opening the driveway gate. Suspects fled her white Peugeot (ND 41872).
     
Morningside, Fyfe Road. Hijacking (06 November 2010, 18:27:50)
Resident was exiting her driveway when she was approached by 2 armed black men. One suspect held a fire-arm to her head and demanded the vehicle keys for her Mercedes Benz parked in the garage. Resident notified the suspects that she did not have the keys. Suspects threw her out of her white Hyundai Atos (ND 680 235) and fled with the vehicle.
     
Sunningdale, Fernlea Road. Hijacking (06 November 2010, 19:04:30)
Resident was parked on the pavement when she was approached by 3 black males. Suspects pulled her out of her silver Audi (NUR 50739) and fled in the stolen vehicle.
     
Cowies Hill, Old Main Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (03 November 2010, 19:39:05)
Driveway gate was derailed. Suspects damaged the rubber of a bakkie window but they were unable to gain entry. A steam iron and clothing was stolen from the unlocked laundry area.
     
Amanzimtoti, Brenadotte Street. Gatecrashing - Residential (04 November 2010, 4:38:00)
Suspects derailed the main gates and gained entry onto the property. A radio face was stolen from open vehicle parked in the yard.
     
Assagay, Gevers Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (04 November 2010, 11:36:13)
Driveway gate was forced open and entrance wooden door was wedged open. A TV was stolen. A green crow-bar was found lying on the floor.
     
Roseglen, Chadwick Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (05 November 2010, 19:39:12)
Driveway gates were forced open. Entry gained by forcing open security gate with a crowbar and kicking open the front door. A flatscreen television was stolen.
     
Durban North, Woodford Grove. Gatecrashing - Business (06 November 2010, 5:58:54)
Driveway gates and the front door were forced open. Four computers, 3 towers, cellphones, tools and other valuables were stolen.
     
Westville, Creer Road. Housebreaking - Residential (01 November 2010, 21:38:05)
Entry was gained via the front door. A computer, 2 cellphones and a wallet was stolen.

Caversham Glen, Hampshire Place. Housebreaking – Residential (02 November 2010, 6:09:04)
Entry gained into wooden shed by removing front door hinges. Two hand drills, a large angle grinder, 2 small angle grinders, 2 jig-saws, an angle grinder, rotor and 3 screw drivers were stolen.

The wooden shed had no alarm protection.
     
Morningside, Earl Haig Road. Housebreaking - Residential (02 November 2010, 7:15:49)
Garage door was forced open. Two bicycles and power tools were stolen. 

Umgeni, Ridgeside Road. Housebreaking – Residential (02 November 2010, 11:30:07)
Entry gained by forcing open front door. A laptop and Playstation was stolen.

Amanzimtoti, Tecoma Place. Housebreaking - Residential (02 November 2010, 11:37:26)
Entry gained by breaking open rear bedroom window. A laptop and iPod was stolen.
     
Kloof, Heaton Nichols Road. Housebreaking - Residential (03 November 2010, 17:03:46)
Entry gained by forcing open bedroom window and burglar guards. Jewellery was stolen.

Umgeni Park, Buttery Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 November 2010, 7:22:47)
Suspects cut open garage locks gaining entry. Three bicycles and 5 radiators were stolen.
     
Amanzimtoti, Wavecrest Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 November 2010, 9:05:58)
Entry was gained into the house via the front door which was left open. A flat screen TV was stolen.

Durban North, North View Road. Housebreaking - Residential (04 November 2010, 18:33:51)
Suspects forced open back bedroom window and removed burglar guards gaining entry. A camera was stolen.
     
Rosehill, Atterbury Road. Housebreaking - Residential (06 November 2010, 5:58:14)
Suspects gained entry by forcing open side window and burglar bars. A wallet and 2 cellphones were stolen.
     
Umgeni Park, Buttery Road. Housebreaking - Residential (06 November 2010, 7:45:05)
Suspects entered the premises from the neighbour’s property, and used a ladder to reach the upper balcony. Twelve plastic chairs were stolen.

No it’s not Santa Claus coming down the chimney, but sneaky paws up a ladder!
     
Alverstone, District Road. Housebreaking - Residential (07 November 2010, 2:28:16)
Entry gained by removing front aluminium window. A laptop, DVD player and cash was stolen.
     
Glenwood, Clark Road. Housebreaking – Residential (07 November 2010, 6:09:04)
Entry gained by forcing open side window. A portable radio was stolen.

Berea West, Coventry Road. Housebreaking - Residential (07 November 2010, 14:51:29)
Entry gained by smashing lounge window. A laptop and running shoes were stolen.

Glenhills, Bouganville Drive. Housebreaking – Residential (07 November 2010, 16:04:09)
Entry gained by forcing open front gate and door. Two laptops, DVD player, iPod docking station and a flat screen TV was stolen.
     
Durban North, Edgely Road. Housebreaking - Residential (07 November 2010, 18:30:37)
Resident was not on the premises, as it was his wedding day. Suspects forced open the rear door gaining entry. A laptop was stolen.

Now this is sad state of affairs...and on this chap’s wedding day. I would expect that even the cake was in tiers!
     
Berea, Bellevue Road. Housebreaking – Business (02 November 2010, 4:55:45)
Entry gained by forcing open main door and gate. A laptop and hard drive was stolen.
     
Westmead, Malcomb Road. Housebreaking - Business (02 November 2010, 7:14:16)
Suspects removed both locks on the security gates and gained entry by forcing open the security gate and door. A kettle was stolen.

Eish, seems like a lot of effort for a kettle. One would imagine that if these guys put the same amount of effort into an honest day’s labour there would be no reason to turn to crime.
     
Shongweni, Kassier Road. Housebreaking – Business (02 November 2010, 14:05:28)
Entry gained by forcing open main gate. A pressure pump, 6 tyres, rims and a trolley holding gas cylinders was stolen.
     
Weatmead, Albert Road. Housebreaking - Business (03 November 2010, 6:52:40)
Suspects gained entry via the rear extractor vents. Computers and printers were stolen.

Morningside, Granthan Place. Housebreaking - Business (05 November 2010, 5:01:55)
Entry gained by forcing open front gate and door. A safe, containing cash was forced open. Computers and cheque books were also stolen from the premises.
     
Pinetown, Halfa Road. Housebreaking - Business (06 November 2010, 20:13:55)
Entry gained by drilling open burglar bars. Front gate was cut and the front door was forced open. A computer tower was stolen.

My word, these guys have moved beyond brute force and ignorance into the realm of power tools. Perhaps this is the work of the same miscreants that stole the power tools out of the shed in Caversham a few days earlier?
     
Glenwood, cnr Ferguson and Brand. Housebreaking - Business (08 November 2010, 7:21:13)
Suspects removed louver windows and burglar guards gaining entry. A 30 meter extension cord on a steel wheel and tools were stolen.
    
La Lucia, Morice Place. Theft (01 November 2010, 16:52:05)
The premises is currently vacant and on sale. Suspects jumped over the wall and stole copper piping and roof tiles.
     
Umgeni Park, Buttery Road. Theft (01 November 2010, 17:08:29)
A limited edition racing bike was stolen.

Waterfall, Owen Close. Housebreaking - Residential (02 November 2010, 19:40:24)
Suspects stole 3 panels from the concrete fencing. A suspicious white male driving a white bakkie was seen departing the premises around 3PM.

How scaly can you get, concrete wall panels, can you believe it?

Westville, Ashwin Avenue. Theft (06 November 2010, 3:18:00)
A function had taken place on the premises and the rear doors were left open. Resident stated when his guests left he returned inside and found that his laptop, digital camera and cellphone had been stolen.
    
Morningside, Windermere Road. Theft (06 November 2010, 10:54:48)
Copper pipes were stolen from the left hand side of the premises.
     
Glenwood, Stella Grove. Theft of Motor Vehicle (05 November 2010, 23:51:22)
A white Kia bakkie (ND 85253) containing business premises keys was stolen.

The first thing you should do when your car has been stolen is call the police. The quicker you call the better. Once the officer arrives, you may file a report, and the officer will instruct you on your next steps. Once home, a call to a locksmith to change any locks, if keys were taken. Do not keep personal identification in your car, regardless of how convenient it is. Same applies to spare house keys. Spare house keys, your name and address. You might as well leave the guy a map, and he’s good to go.

Amanzimtoti, Middleton Road. Theft out of Motor Vehicle (03 November 2010, 20:43:00)
A white Hyundai parked on the roadside was broken into. Suspects removed steering cover and tampered with ignition. Two toolboxes and a handbag including wallets (containing R1000 cash) and 7 knives were stolen.

Seven knives? That’s a strange thing to have in your handbag, unless you’re Snow White of course.

SUCCESSES

Umbilo, Charles Strachan Road. Armed Robbery - Business (09 November 2010, 4:46:22)
Three black males cut the chain on the driveway gate and gained entry onto the property. Two suspects were armed and held the security guard on site up at gunpoint. Suspects then went up to the first floor where they tried to force open the office door but were unable to do so. Suspects fled the scene. Nothing was stolen.

OK, not so much a success as it is incompetent housebreakers, but we’ll take it anyway.

Pinetown, Kirk Road. Housebreaking - Business (03 November 2010, (0:17:12)
A black male suspect jumped over the rear wall. Suspect fled when the alarm triggered.
     
Chatsworth, Sunset Avenue. Theft (01 November 2010, 17:45:57)
Blue Security Reaction Officer gave chase to suspect who stole 25 pairs of shoes. Suspect was apprehended.

It just shows - it’s not how many shoes you own, it’s what you do with them that counts.
     
Morningside, Windermere Road. Theft (08 November 2010, 4:21:55)
Two suspects entered premises and stole copper pipes off the wall. One suspect was apprehended by Blue Security Reaction Officer. The copper piping was recovered.
Attempted Theft where nothing was confirmed stolen:

Amanzimtoti, Little Road (05 November 2010, 12:48:49)
Amanzimtoti, Vasco Da Gama (06 November 2010, 21:24:09)
Durban Central, Pine Street (02 November 2010, 8:07:54)
Durban Central, Cato Street (05 November 2010, 9:44:04)
Durban Central, Solharris Crescent (05 November 2010, 10:21:20)
Durban Central, Berea Road (10 November 2010, 1:19:08)
Durban North, Siohu Sethu Road (04 November 2010, 7:26:36)
Durban North, Ennisdale Drive (06 November 2010, 11:55:01)
Durban North, Gleneagles Drive (07 November 2010, 12:35:14)
Durban North, Queens View Place (07 November 2010, 15:29:36)
Glen Anil, Glen Anil (06 November 2010, 6:10:00)
Glenmore, Donlene Crescent (01 November 2010, 19:28:16)
Glenwood, Bulwer Road (09 November 2010, 3:38:03)
Glenwood, Crart Avenue (10 November 2010, 0:26:58)
Hillcrest, Highlands Road (05 November 2010, 15:41:41)
Kloof, Kenilworth Road (06 November 2010, 17:14:01)
Kloof, Krantsview Road (09 November 2010, 2:47:30)
Kloof, Fairview Road (06 November 2010, 16:55:02)
Moseley, Main Road (02 November 2010, 16:51:13)
Rosehill , Acutt Avenue (06 November 2010, 13:08:34)
Rossburgh, Pinedene Road (02 November 2010, 21:00:30)
Umgeni park, Marine View Drive (05 November 2010, 15:09:52)
Westmead, Hillclimb Road (04 November 2010, 0:35:00)
Westmead, Lemans Road (06 November 2010, 9:09:40)
Winston Park, Mountbatten place (02 November 2010, 18:39:29)
Wyebank, Fern Place (03 November 2010, 20:36:52)