BLUE ALERT # 136 FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEDING 28 FEBRUARY 2011 

Other than a very unfortunate incident on Saturday it’s been a relatively peaceful week this week with fewer incidents of armed robberies and no hijackings reported, which is exceptionally good news, especially in light of the action-packed drama of the past two weeks. But, we’d just like you to be aware that we were alerted this week to the fact that a number of Bluff residents appear to have been affected by “remote jamming”. This isn’t a new practice and has been around since remotes were invented, but it has received some publicity in the media of late. What it means is that your remote signal – be it the remote signal to your car, gate, or house alarm - can be “blotted out” or “flooded” if a device in reasonably close proximity is transmitting a more powerful signal on the same frequency. It’s like being in a room with a group of friends who’re all talking normally and in walks someone with a loudhailer - you won’t be able to hear what your friends are saying anymore because the loudhailer will drown out the voices.  If you find that your automated gate doesn’t open while you’re attempting to access your property, drive straight on without stopping – there may be someone waiting to hijack you. If your alarm doesn’t activate in a car park move closer to your car and try again. There is a chance that you may not get your car alarm to activate at all, in which case it’s time to get “back to basics”, the good old fashioned “lock it with the key system”, because the good news is that while remote jammers can interfere with you locking your car, they can’t actually open it the same way.

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

Redhill, Westview Road. Murder - Residential (26 February 2011, 14:00:40)
The residents tenant was discovered was discovered dead in his cottage by a friend. He had two stab wounds to the neck and back. The cottage had been ransacked and the front door of the cottage was found open and unlocked.

Chatsworth, Greenview Road. Armed Robbery - Residential (22 February 2011, 9:32:12)
Two Indian and two black males jumped over the perimeter wall and entered the house through a door. The suspects were armed with firearms and knives and held up the resident in the lounge. The resident's wife walked into the lounge when she heard the noise and pressed the panic button. The suspects fled in a gold VW Polo.

Gillitts, Marianne Road. Gatecrashing - Residential (26 February 2011, 19:16:43)
Suspects forced open the driveway gate and the front door. A TV was stolen.

Kloof, Umzwilli Road. Housebreaking - Residential (22 February 2011, 4:30:22)
Suspects broke a window and a flat screen computer monitor was stolen.

Amanzimtoti, Nyoni Crescent. Housebreaking - Residential (24 February 2011, 6:02:30)
Suspects gained entry through an open unsecured window which was left open during the night. A laptop, cell phone and a set of BMW car keys were stolen.

Westville, Tweed Road. Housebreaking - Residential (26 February 2011, 10:27:21)
The door to the laundry room was left open and the suspects walked in and stole an unknown amount of clothing and a pair of takkies.

These prowlers with malintent couldn’t resist the invitation of an open window and open door to drop in and see what they could make off with.

Alverstone. Housebreaking - Residential (27 February 2011, 7:37:28)
Suspects forced open a garage door and two mountain bikes, a suitcase of clothing, a chainsaw and washing powder were stolen.

Umbilo, Umbilo Road. Housebreaking - Business (27 February 2011, 5:44:52)
Suspects gained access to the warehouse and offices. A computer was stolen.

Umbilo, Gale Street. Theft - Business (24 February 2011, 6:09:34)
Suspects broke off and stole copper piping from the wall outside the front of the building, damaging the water pipes.

New Germany, Shepstone Road. Theft - Business (24 February 2011, 9:22:46)
Suspects climbed over the perimeter fence and stole two truck radiators from the yard.

Glenwood, Davenport Road. Theft out of a motor vehicle – Business (24 February 2011, 8:17:26)
Suspects smashed the glass on the front passenger window and stole a sound system.

Attempted theft where nothing was confirmed stolen:
Amanzimtoti, Chelsea Drive (26 February 2011, 14:54:12)
Botha's Hill, Dunrobin Lane (25 February 2011, 16:21:55)
Glenwood, Edmonds Road (27 February 2011, 13:46:40)
Morningside, Vause Road (26 February 2011, 20:30:40)
New Germany, Nipper Road Unit 1 (24 February 2011, 17:26:21)
New Germany, Obeurreter Ridge  (25 February 2011, 12:38:51)
Pinetown, Hoogvorst Road  (26 February 2011, 13:56:51)
Sarnia, Pastroll Road (22 February 2011, 12:52:00)
Umhlanga / La Lucia, Ellingham Drive (22 February 2011, 19:59:41)

SUCCESSES

Glen Anil, Sagewood Way. Trespassing / Attempted theft - Residential (24 February 2011, 13:33:46)
The domestic worker reported that a black male jumped over the front fence and attempted to steal a Weber braai from the front verandah. The domestic worker activated the panic button and the suspect fled without the braai.

There you have it, proof that if they know what to do, your domestic staff can play a key role in your home security.

Bayview, Lenny Naidoo Road.  Theft - Residential (24 February 2011, 14:28:28)
The neighbour reported two black males on the premises. The client's brother arrived on the premises armed with a firearm and fired three shots at the suspects who were attempting to steal a geyser from the yard. The suspects fled and the geyser was recovered from nearby bushes.

Episode One!

Bayview, Lenny Naidoo Road.  Theft - Residential (25 February 2011, 7:26:17)
The suspect gained access to the yard by jumping over the precast fence and the resident reports that he was attempting to steal a geyser from the back yard.  The resident managed to apprehend the suspect who was arrested by the SAPS.

Episode Two! Clearly this was one special geyser, so special that this reprobate suspect would risk getting shot at again.

Ryde Place. Housebreaking - Residential (25 February 2011, 13:30:21)
A black males and former employee of the resident broke a kitchen window and gained entry to the premises. The suspect was apprehended in the attic and arrested by SAPS. It was not known at the time what had been stolen.

 That’s it from us for now. Stay alert and stay safe.

The Blue Alert Team