BLUE ALERT # 148 FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEDING 31 MAY 2011 

Durban is still the warmest place to be this winter but the icy nip that greets us as the sun dips behind the hills has got even us east coasters heading indoors and snuggling under duvets and blankets for warmth. Winter has bitten early and it’s bitten hard this year.  But for us warm-hearted east coaster there is a way that we can spread a little warmth this winter … and it’s known as the Twitter Blanket Drive. It’s a nationwide charity drive started by a few big-hearted Tweeters, and it’s happening this Saturday 4 June right here in Durban. Bring a blanket and meet for a cup of coffee at Luna Rossa, Gateway between 11am and 4pm or Livingstones Gastropub, Glenore Centre at 6pm.  It’s a great way to spread the warmth. For more information see www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za

Just like it’s the little things that count when it comes to taking care of others, it’s the little things that count when it comes to looking after your safety. Doors and windows are the most common entry points for criminals, and while you may have followed our advice and installed an alarm and adequately secured doors and windows, there’s those little things called keys that we don’t pay much attention to but are like gold to a criminal.  This anecdote got our attention. It should get yours, too.

Soon after moving into her new home, a young woman, awoke one night with the feeling of something cold pressing against her throat. Sleepily, she grabbed at it and realised it was a knife. An invisible man’s voice hissed, "Shut up or I'll kill you!"

The young woman had followed all the home security rules and she was sure nothing would harm her. And she was mostly right... except for one little thing... she didn't know that the previous home owner had given a key to the next-door neighbour and that it was hanging in the neighbour’s kitchen. But the neighbour’s cousin didn’t forget when he saw her moving in.

Sometimes it’s the littlest things that can make all the difference to your safety. So, get a locksmith to change the door locks when you first move into a house, or if ever you lose a key. Never put your name, address and phone number on keys hoping some kind soul will return lost keys to you – the finder may not be a kind soul. Don't hang keys on hooks in plain sight inside your home – anyone can steal them and anyone can use them.  In fact, a very common trend amongst burglars is to use young children who are small enough to squeeze through the smallest of gaps. Once they are inside they find the keys and open up the front door to let their accomplices in.  For home security, treat your keys like gold.   

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

Chatsworth, Armenia Terrace. Hijacking – Residential (24 May 2011, 20:29:51)
Two black males armed with firearms approached the resident’ son as he was entering the garage. The suspect held a gun to the resident's son's head and forced him out the vehicle. The suspects fled in a silver BMW.

Highlands Hills, Seaforth Road.  Hijacking – Residential  (27 May 2011, 18:35)
Two black males approached the resident’s visitor and pulled him out the vehicle. The suspects fled in the dark grey A4 Audi, registration NPN 6446.

Another little thing that could save you from the ordeal of a hijacking is to be aware of your environment. Check your rear-view mirror to make sure no one is following you as you approach your driveway, and be on the look-out for strange cars parked on the verge near to your home.  If you feel in any way uncertain, drive to your nearest police station.

Chatsworth, Tammany Avenue.  Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (29 May 2011, 20:13:31)
A white Toyota Tazz, registration FTB456GP, was stolen from the driveway.

Mariannhill Park, Frey Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 May 2011, 10:54:45)
Suspects jumped over the wall at the back of the property and entered the bar area through an open door. Alcohol and takkies were stolen.
 
Unwelcome intruders bursting into your home tends to lower the spirits. 

Carrington Heights, Marshall Place. Housebreaking – Residential (24 May 2011, 13:00:38)
Suspects forced open the sliding door to a cottage on the property. A laptop and camera were stolen. No alarm was installed in the cottage.

New Germany, Jung Crescent.  Housebreaking – Residential (24 May 2011, 13:09:06)
Suspects entered the house through a bedroom window. A camera was stolen.

Athlone Park, Everglade Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 May 2011, 13:13:23)
Suspects broke a dining room window and forced in the burglar guard. A flat screen TV was stolen.

Hillcrest, Ashley Road. Housebreaking – Residential (24 May 2011, 4:01:07)
A laptop was stolen from the resident's bedroom. There was no sign of forced entry.

Glenmore, Bowen Avenue.  Housebreaking – Residential (28 May 2011, 09:45) 
Suspects entered the premises through an open, unsecured window. A laptop and a wallet containing R2 500 in cash were stolen. CCTV footage showed that three to four armed males had been on the premises.

Glenwood, Bulwer Road . Housebreaking – Residential (28 May 2011, 09:47) 
Suspects entered the house through an open back door. A microwave and kettle were stolen.

Another open door??   What’s up folks?  It’s not like the criminals have taken a winter holiday. On the contrary.  Beggars and bums tend to drift from the freezing interior to our balmy shores in the winter months.

Umbilo, Bartle Road.  Housebreaking – Residential  (29 May 2011, 09:31)
A kitchen door and the security gate were forced open and the bedroom cupboards were ransacked.  A home theatre system was stolen.

Waterfall, Ridge Road. Housebreaking – Residential (29 May 2011, 15:10:12)
Suspects broke a front window and forced in the burglar guard and entered a cottage on the premises. A computer, laptop, TV, Hi-Fi, jewellery and duvets covers were stolen. The alarm was not armed at the time.

Umhlanga, Solstice Road. Housebreaking – Business (28 May 2011, 04:52)
Suspects forced open the front door and entered the premises. Two computers and DVDs were stolen.

Westmead, Circuit Road. Housebreaking – Business (28 May 2011, 09:05)
Suspects entered the premises through the roof. Power tools were stolen.

Musgrave,  Randals Road.   Housebreaking – Business   (29 May 2011, 03:06)   
Suspects forced open a window and entered the basement of the premises. Cell phones were stolen.

Berea, Davenport Road. Theft – Business (25 May 2011, 17:04:04)
A white male walked into the premises and asked the client for a donation. The suspect stole the client's cell phone from the office counter and fled in an unknown direction.

Durban North, Athlone Drive. Theft – Business (27 May 2011,  16:59) 
A staff member stole a sound system from the club.

Pinetown, Livingstone Road. Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Business (26 May 2011, 8:48:52)
Suspects attempted to steal a white Toyota Conquest and damaged the vehicle's ignition was damaged. The suspects fled in a blue Toyota Run-X, registration ND: 144499.

Glenmore, Homa Road. Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (24 May 2011, 13:18:57)
The driver door of a Toyota Tazz parked on the road was tampered with and vehicle's steering wheel was damaged.

SUCCESSES
Virginia, Blackwood Place. Trespassing– Residential  (26 May 2011, 16:06:18)
A black male was apprehended for trespassing on the premises.

Umbilo, Sydney Road. Theft – Business (28 May 2011, 02:25)  
A suspect  cut the lock on the front gate of the premises and stole copper pipes. The suspect was apprehended by the Reaction Officer on Williams Road.

Moseley Park, Rushbrook South. Trespassing – Business (25 May 2011, 11:10:33)
A suspect was arrested by the SAPs for trespassing on the property.

Malvern, Fairlight Road. Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (29 May 2011, 7:02:27)
Suspects derailed the driveway gate and attempted to steal a white VW Golf parked in the yard. The anti-hijacking device activated and the vehicle switched off. The vehicle was recovered in Fairlight Road.

An approved anti-hijacking system will achieve a safe, quick shutdown of the vehicle which must come as a surprise to the uninitiated car thief.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:
Berea, Berea Road (26 May 2011, 5:58:15)
Durban, Woodlawn Crescent (28 May 2011, 18:25)
Gillitts, Stockville Road (29 May 2011, 03:30) 
Glen Anil, Columbine Place (29 May 2011, 7:47:32)
Glenwood, Dronfield Road (25 May 2011, 7:03:07)
Hillcrest, Gillitts Road  (25 May 2011, 11:59:19)
Hillcrest, Homestead Avenue (25 May 2011, 1:11:00)
Isipingo, Thrush Place (25 May 2011, 13:05:08)
Northdene, Rapson Road (29 May 2011, 6:04:12)
Queensburgh, Downie Crescent  (25 May 2011, 5:48:43)
Stamfordhill,  Arbuckle Road (25 May 2011, 5:31:41)
Umbilo, Williams Road  (26 May 2011, 4:02:17) 
Waterfall, Brackenhill Road (29 May 2011, 10:10:53)
Waterfall, Rainbow Drive  (29 May 2011, 12:02:36) 
Westville, Varsity Drive (28 May 2011, 11:17)  

That’s it from us for now.

Stay alert and stay safe.