BLUE ALERT FOR ALL AREAS WEEK PRECEDING 6 JANUARY 2011

What would a new year be without resolutions? If you’re determined to shift those Christmas kilos by taking an early morning or evening jog or walk – take care out there. An attack can happen while you’re training, so tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back, vary your routes, carry your cell phone and don’t listen to music. Stay alert and you can enjoy the beautiful summer months ahead.

Let’s take a look at what’s been going on this week.

Seaview, Hillside Road. Armed robbery - Residential (2 January 2011, 21:55:17)
Two black males confronted the resident at her front door as she was going out to the pool for a swim. The suspects held her at knife point and forced her to sit on her bed while they stole jewellery, gold coins and a DVD player.

By all means take a dip at night – but, here’s the but - carry a remote alarm or install Cellforce on your phone. Cellforce protects you in surprise attacks like these as you’re able to discreetly press the alarm without tipping off the would-be attackers. 

Reservior Hills, Shannon Drive. Housebreaking - Residential (1 January 2010, 23:04:14)
Suspects forced open the front door and stole a CD player, 2 cameras and copper pipes lying in the yard.

Springfield, Quarry Road East. Housebreaking - Residential (2 January 2011, 9:56:45)
A neighbour witnessed two black males kicking down and forcing open the back door and entering the house. A DVD player and a kettle were stolen.

While there are occasional news stories of a home being ransacked and emptied by brazen thieves, it’s much more common that a burglar will steal anything of obvious value that can be carted out in under ten minutes.

Durban North, Lansdowne Crescent. Housebreaking - Residential (4 January 2010, 5:05:53)
Suspects gained entry by removing a window pane in the lounge area. A LCD TV was stolen.

Gillitts, Norton Avenue. Housebreaking - Residential (4 January 2010, 11:56:44)
Suspects tampered with the lock before forcing open the back door. Jewellery and an LCD TV were stolen.

Glenwood, Penzance Road. Housebreaking - Business (31 December 2010, 14:35:30)
Suspects forced open a back door and gained entry to the premises. A TV was stolen.

Mobeni, Leceister Road. Housebreaking - Business (2 January 2010, 0:55:01)
Suspects used metal pipes on the outside of the building to climb up to an open upper floor window and enter the premises.  Two computer towers and an undisclosed amount of clothing were stolen.

Another open window – on the top floor, nogal. No problem to these burglars who are very likely young and clearly as fit and agile as Spiderman. 

Durban, Stamfordhill Road.  Housebreaking - Business (3 January 2011, 10:16:58)
It appears the suspects had keys to the premises and the code to disarm the alarm system. Two computer screens, a computer tower, a CD player and an undisclosed amount of cash from 3 safes were stolen.

Durban, Stamfordhill Road. Housebreaking - Business (3 January 2011, 8:39:26)
Suspects climbed through a hole in the wire fence at the back of the property and gained entry to the premises by forcing open a rear window.  Stock to the value of about R10 000 plus combs and cosmetics were stolen.

Just updating their look for 2011. Contrary to popular belief not all criminals have horns and carry a cleft stick. Very often they’re well-dressed and blend in with the crowd.

Musgrave, St Thomas Road. Theft - Residential (1 January 2011, 8:44:04)
A Blue Security Officer noticed water gushing from a property and reported that a water meter had been stolen while the client was away on holiday.

Bluff, Doon Road. Theft - Business (2 January 2011, 11:07:09)
Suspects jumped over the fence and broke off and stole copper water pipes from a back wall.

If the price of all metals keeps going up, up, up – it’s no surprise that metal theft will follow the same trend.

SUCCESSES

Amanzimtoti, CBD. Mugging / Assault (3 January 2010, 15:50:10)
Suspects threw an elderly lady to the ground as she was leaving the post office, snatched her bag and fled on foot. One suspect was apprehended and arrested. The elderly victim’s bag was returned to her and she was taken to hospital for treatment.

Good news that at least one of these thugs were arrested and that the elderly lady got her bag back.

Glenmore, Buxton Gardens. Armed robbery - Residential (4 January 2010, 21:07:00)
Two black males were caught red-handed by SAPS and a Blue Reaction Officer while attempting to rob the premises. They were armed and a bystander was shot in the head during the course of the attempted robbery.

Bravo to the Blue Reaction Officers who put his life on the line during this extremely threatening incident. Further good news is that the bystander survived the bullet wound to his head, there is a lesson in this incident though – stay well away from crime scenes!

Attempted theft where nothing was confirmed stolen:
Durban North, Gleneagles Drive (2 Janaury 2011, 14:05:13)
Durban North, Umhlanga Rocks Drive (31 December 2010, 6:21:23)
Glenmore, Grosvenor Road (4 Janaury 2010, 10:06:32)
Glenwood, Davenport Road (2 January 2011, 5:33:47)
Kloof, Msinsi Road  (1 Janaury 2010, 10:27:11)
La Lucia, Millhaven Place (31 December 2010, 23:57:50)
Summerveld, (31 December 2010, 23:00:56)
Umbilo, Hannah Road (1 January 2011, 9:42:03)