BLUE ALERT #155 FOR ALL AREAS FOR THE WEEK PRECEDING 21 JULY 2011 

Have you noticed that the birds seem to have the idea that spring is on its way? This Sunday flocks of weavers congregated in an acacia and the birds were chattering away to one another and seemed to be saying:  “We’ve found the perfect spot to build our nest, so what are we waiting for”.  A welcome sign while we’re still in the grips of this chilly winter.    

Just as the birds start afresh each spring and build new nests in which to raise their young and the female weaver  won’t accept anything less than the best nest to raise her chicks, we also need to take a look at our homes periodically and assess whether our security systems are up to scratch to protect those that we love. 

Did you know that most armed robberies occur while residents are at home, relaxing and least expecting a break-in?  The main reason for this is outdated security systems – simply put, they are not user-friendly and as such, they are not used.

If you’re finding your alarm system a hassle to operate and you’re not using it, it’s probably time to look at upgrading to a modern, user-friendly system.

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

Pinetown, Naude Road. Armed Robbery - Residential  (14 July 2011, 10:09:39) 
A suspect walked into the house through a bedroom sliding door. The suspect who was armed with a pair of scissors confronted the resident and demanded that she hand over her gold bangles, a ring and a cell phone.

Our case is made. Had the alarm been armed and had there been good outdoor protection, it is unlikely that this unfortunate incident would have happened.

Morningside, Gordon Road. Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Residential (17 July 2011, 5:22:03)   
Four black males armed with firearms held up a guard and stole a black Citi Golf, registration number NPN 43017. 

Rosehill, Lancaster Road.  Housebreaking - Residential  (13 July 2011, 18:17:52)
Suspects broke down a back door and entered the premises. A TV, DVD player, a radio and clothing were stolen.    

Queensburgh, South Road. Housebreaking – Residential (14 July 2011, 21:28:57) 
Suspects broke the lock on a pedestrian door and entered the garage. A racing bicycle was stolen.   

Berea, Clyde Avenue. Housebreaking – Residential (14 July 2011, 4:26:51)   
Suspects forced open a window and pushed in the burglar guard. A DVD player was stolen.  

Waterfall, David Drive. Housebreaking - Residential  (17 July 2011, 13:30:18) 
Suspects forced open a back door and entered the premises. A DVD player, a laptop and a computer notebook were stolen.    
 
Again, door and windows are the most common points of entry. When it comes to home security the choice is how close you are prepared to allow the intruder to your home. Strip Barrier Beams are an effective way to keep intruders out.  Click here to view our Special Offer on Strip Barrier Beams

Umhlanga, Harrier Crescent. Housebreaking - Residential  (18 July 2011, 20:35:14) 
Suspects broke into the garage and stole a wallet out of a car.     

Most of us are guilty of leaving items of value in our car – especially when the car is locked up safe and sound in the garage. But the criminal element has a way of teaching us that we will pay for our lapses in security sooner or later. So, folks, ensure that your garage is covered by the alarm system and remove items of value from your car.

Morningside, Highfield Road.  Housebreaking – Business (13 July 2011, 6:27:55)
Suspects forced open the front door and security gate. Computers were stolen.   

Rossburgh, Edwin Swales Drive. Housebreaking – Business (14 July 2011, 5:22:43) 
Suspects broke a window at the back of the premises and fished out a hard drive and computer screen through the window. 

Berea, Noble Road. Housebreaking – Business (14 July 2011, 4:32:44) 
Suspects forced open the front door and entered the premises. A computer and keyboard were stolen.   

Glen Anil, Columbine Road. Housebreaking – Business (14 July 2011, 7:22:17)
Suspects entered the premises through a roller shutter door. Cash and computers were stolen from the offices. 

Windermere, Claribel  Road. Housebreaking – Business (16 July 2011, 17:46:42)  
Suspects forced open the driveway gate and a door and entered the premises. A TV was recovered outside the premises.         
 
Queensmead, Martin Drive. Housebreaking – Business (17 July 2011, 16:20:56) 
Suspects broke into the premises through the roof. Cigarettes, alcohol and airtime were stolen.

Hillcrest, Inanda Road. Theft  - Business (17 July 2011, 19:28:48)
 A suspect used counterfeit money to buy groceries from the shop.    

Isipingo, Jeffles Road. Theft – Business (18 July 2011, 3:10:23) 
Copper water pipes were stolen from the premises.   

Mobeni, Leicester Road.Theft - Business (18 July 2011, 22:46:56)
Suspects entered the yard and were attempting to steal gutter pipes. They fled when they saw the security guard.   

Amanzimtoti, Raleigh Road. Theft – Business (17 July 2011, 6:21:25)    
A suspect attempting to steal copper cables from street lights was apprehended.

Morningside, Windermere Road.  Theft – Business (14 July 2011, 9:19:40) 
Suspects jumped over the front gate and stole a generator from the yard. A door to an empty basement was also forced open. 

Pinetown, Manors Road. Theft – Residential (16 July 2011, 17:06:54)  
A suspect entered the house through an unlocked kitchen door while the resident was on the phone in the kitchen.  Valuables were stolen from the resident's bag and a passport and the handbag were recovered on the lawn. 

Haibo – it’s a bit much that you can’t even have a cup of tea and a chat on the home phone without someone sneaking in and ripping you off. But that’s the nature of these criminals – always sneaking about looking for an opportunity.

Morningside, Cowey Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle- Residential (18 July 2011, 11:16:22)  
Suspects broke the window of a silver BMW, registration number ND 23875, parked on the road and stole an iPod and a GPS. 

Phoenix,  Parthenon Street.  Assault – Business (17 July 2011, 14:42:57)
A security guard was stabbed by a customer during a fight. 

Malvern, Main Road.  Attempted Armed Robbery - Business  (14 July 2011, 6:34:00)
A black male walked onto the premises and held up a staff member at knife point and attempted to rob her. The suspect fled when the victim screamed.

SUCCESSES
Sarnia, Folkstone Road.  Theft  (13 July 2011, 16:27:34) 
Suspects were apprehended for burning power cables under the bridge at the corner of Bartle and Oliver Lea Drive.

These metal thieves were caught red handed burning the plastic off copper cables. Theft of power cables, telephone cables and traffic light components and poles is costing the city millions and ultimately the cost is transferred to us the ratepayers. If you see any suspicious activity you can report it to the Telkom Hotline at 0800 124 000, the Eskom hotline at 080 011 2722 and the eThekwini Traffic Hotline on 080 131 3013.

Cato Manor, Booth Road. Theft  - Business (13 July 2011, 8:45:09)
A suspect was apprehended and arrested by the SAPS for stealing a lawnmower and 20 meters of cable. 

Pinetown,  Waering Road. Attempted Housebreaking – Business (13 July 2011, 21:06:05) 
Two suspects were arrested for attempting to overpower the guards and gain entry to the premises. 

Morningside, Cowey Road. Attempted Housebreaking – Business (17 July 2011, 14:53:13)   
A suspect entered the premises and was apprehended while the reaction offer was conducting a check at the premises.    

Sorry for you! We were at the scene of this incident in double quick time … so fast that this miscreant was nabbed before he could even think of making a run for it.   

Attempted housebreaking where nothing was confirmed stolen:
Berea, Berea Road (18 July 2011, 5:28:46) 
Berea, Rothsay Road (14 July 2011, 6:39:44) 
Clare Estate,  Wandsbeck Road (13 July 2011, 10:39:08) 
Congella , Sydney Road ( 13 July 2011,19:14:19)
Durban,  Smith Street(14 July 2011, 4:25:43)
Kloof ,Pioneer Road (15 July 2011, 2:39:20)
Kloof, Sakabula Road  (13 July 2011, 2:56:32)
La Lucia,  Braemar Road (13 July 2011,  3:14:32)
Mariannhill, First Street (15 July 2011, 2:03:26)
Morningside, Montpelier Road (13 July 2011, 8:09:42)
Morningside , Stamfordhill Road   (18 July 2011, 21:58:52)
Musgrave, Silverton Road (17 July 2011, 4:04:01)
New Germany, Pineside Road (18  July 2011, 11:40:11) 
Sarnia, Peace Crescent (13 July 2011, 15:15:18) 
Stamfordhill, Grantham Road (13 July 2011, 5:42:43) 
Virginia, O'Connor Place (18 July 2011, 4:36:12)
Westriding, Marion Road (18 July 2011, 9:55:34)
Windermere, Windermere  Road (13 July 2011, 5:03:17)
Winston Park, Jan Smuts Road (14 July 2011, 11:48:21) 
Yellowwood Park, Wagtail Walk  (19 July 2011, 2:06:21)