We’ve been spoiled with all these long weekends and the perfect weather of the past couple of weeks. It’s so good to have time together with family and friends, and enjoy this beautiful city or county we live in. It’s just a pity that the long weekends speed past … but isn’t that’s the way with all good things?  No worries though as there’s another day off on May 18, this time to get down to the polls and vote in the local government elections. We hope you’re ready to exercise your right to choose and in so doing bring in the changes you want to be made in your neighbourhood and your city. Yes, change is up to you!  

We’re pleased to report that Armed Robberies, Gatecrashings and other serious incidents appear to be down this week. But that’s not to say that there haven’t been plenty of housebreakings – with criminals getting into houses and business through doors and windows.  We’ve said this often enough but, it’s worth keeping it top of mind: the easiest way for a criminal to break in to your home is to just kick in the door. That’s of course after housebreakers have checked doors to see whether they’ve been left unlocked.

If you find any of these weaknesses in your outside doors, it’s time to take corrective action.

And, last but by no means least – “Happy Mother’s Day to all our wonderful MOMS” – we hope you are spoiled rotten on Sunday – you deserve it. Relax and enjoy YOUR day.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s been happening this week.

Forest Hills, Bridel Road.  Gatecrashing / Theft of Firearms – Residential (1 May 2011, 23:25:19)
Suspects tampered with the driveway gate motor and forced open the driveway gate. The front door and security gate were forced open. Two computer towers, four computer monitors and a wall safe containing a rifle and a revolver were stolen.

OK, no sarcastic comments, just a plea. You will be surprised at how quickly and easily a determined criminal is able to remove a wall safe, perhaps it’s time you cast another eye over your firearm safe and consider how you could make it more difficult for a criminal to remove.

Gillitts, Stockville Road. Housebreaking / GBH – Residential (3 May 2011, 2:03:28)
Suspects entered the house through an open patio window. The resident was woken up by two black males attempting to tie his wrists together. The resident broke free and was stabbed in the shoulder and hand by a suspect with a knife.  The suspects then fled through the open window. Two cell phones and a laptop were stolen. Two Hi-Fi speakers and a toaster were recovered from the yard. KZN provincial ambulance service attended to the resident’s injuries.

OMG, how audacious is that, trying to tie his hands while he was asleep!

La Lucia, Cowrie Terrace. Housebreaking – Residential (24 April 2011, 3:57:59)
Suspects forced open a balcony door. Cash, alcohol and clothes were stolen. 

Hillcrest, Park Close.  Housebreaking – Residential (26 April 2011, 11:09:56)
Suspects forced open the security gate and front door. A plasma screen TV, a TV, two cameras, camera lenses and a camera bag were stolen.
 
Seaview,  Strathlyn Avenue. Housebreaking – Residential (27 April 2011, 6:10:07)
A black male jumped over the perimeter wall and entered a cottage on the premises through an open, unsecured door. A bag containing a cell phone and a gold watch were stolen.

Early morning surprise attacks and robberies seem to be on the rise (like an ill wind). Even if you’ve left your front door wide open and unsecured for the past 20 years don’t do so now. There have been a number of reported early morning and late evening attacks - and these attacks have been nasty. We’d hate for you to become the next victim.   

Seaview, Monument Road. Housebreaking  – Residential (27 April 2011, 22:39:11)
A lounge window was broken and the burglar guard pushed in. The bedrooms were ransacked and a plasma screen TV, jewellery and clothes were stolen.

Pinetown, Naude Crescent. Housebreaking – Residential (27 April 2011, 19:10:06)
The client reports that while he was in the kitchen he heard glass break. A suspect entered the house through the broken bedroom window and stole a laptop.

Botha’s Hill, Warwickshire Crescent. Housebreaking – Residential (28 April 2011, 7:16:35)
Suspects broke a bathroom window and pushed in the burglar guard. A TV and a DVD player were stolen.

Moseley Park, Rushbrook Road. Theft of a Motor Vehicle - Residential. (27 April 2011, 4:33:00)
An Isuzu Relay, registration ND 10811, belonging to a visitor was stolen from the verge.

 Amanzimtoti, Inyoni Crescent. Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (27 April 2011, 7:39:50)
 A silver Golf registration ND 162819 was stolen from the client’s yard.

Pinetown, Caversham Road.   Housebreaking – Business (26 April 2011, 8:05:45)
Suspects cut a hole in the glass and opened the window. A computer was stolen.
 
Durban Central, West Street. Housebreaking – Business (27 April 2011, 4:33:24)
Suspects broke a glass front door and stole cash from a till. 

Hillary, Dowland Avenue. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (27 April, 3:41:25)
A radio, AMP and mag wheels were stolen from the client’s Toyota Corolla. 

Durban, Florida Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle – Business (2 May 2011, 17:57:00)
The passenger door of the vehicle was left open and a laptop was stolen from the vehicle.

Westriding, Marion Road. Theft – Business (26 April 2011, 11:38:23)
Copper pipes and water taps were stolen from the premises. 

Hillcrest, Fischer Road. Vandalism / Theft – Business (2 May 2011, 1:54:40)
A slab from the precast perimeter fence was removed and the suspects entered the premises. Suspects broke a window and stole copper pipes from the yard.

Glenwood / Glenmore, Kinmont Crescent.  Mugging - Residential (28 April 2011, 7:28:00)
A black man wearing blue overalls snatched a handbag from the client’s domestic worker as she was walking to catch a taxi.  Two cell phones, R400 in cash, an identity book and a lunchbox were stolen.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:
Amanzimtoti, William Road (27 April 2011, 15:55:31)
Berea, Vause Road  (28 April 2011, 9:08:20)
Glenwood, Moore Road (26 April 2011, 9:38:21)
Glenwood, Moore Road  (28 April 2011, 8:20:57)
Hillcrest, Leslie Road (27 April 2011, 10:11:53)
Malvern, Fourth Avenue (1 May 2011, 16:48:00)
Umbilo, Moore Road (27 April 2011, 8:18:18)

SUCCESSES
Botha’s Hill, Mckenzi Road. Housebreaking – Residential (26 April 2011, 20:57:18)
Suspects attempted to force open a verandah door but fled when the client pressed the panic button and activated the alarm.

Gillitts, Hamilton Crescent. Housebreaking – Residential (2 May 2011, 19:38:08)
Suspects threw a pot plant through a bedroom window and entered the house. The suspects forced the occupants of the house to lie on the floor and ransacked the bedrooms. Two flat screen TVs were recovered from the front yard.  The suspects fled in an unknown direction.

Berea, Chelmsford Road. Attempted housebreaking – Residential (1 May 2011, 20:39:23)
Two black makes broke a lounge window. The suspects fled when they realised the client had seen them.

Berea, Berea Road. Attempted Housebreaking – Business (2 May 2011, 1:01:53)
Suspects threw a brick through the shop window and entered the premises. They fled when they saw a security guard.

Hillcrest, Old Main Road. Attempted Theft – Business (28 April 2011, 10:17:38)
A suspect attempting to steal alcohol from the shop was apprehended by the client and arrested by SAPS. 

That’s it from us for now.

Stay alert and stay safe.