BLUE ALERT FOR THE WEEK PRECEDING 16 AUGUST 2011

Malvern, Spence Road. Hijacking - Residential (10 August 2011, 16:44:57)       
The resident stopped his vehicle outside his driveway gate and was approached by two suspects armed with firearms. The suspects took the resident's car keys, wallet and cell phone and drove off in the resident's sliver Toyota Corolla registration number ND 367941.

Glenwood, Ebor Avenue. Hijacking - Residential  (10 August 2011, 18:56:34)     
The resident was hijacked inside the complex by two armed suspects. The suspects fled in the resident's white VW Polo registration number YJV725GP.

If you are ever in a hijacking situation your primary objective should be to get out of the situation alive! Now don’t get us wrong for a second, we’re not advocating that law abiding South African should simply turn the other cheek and hand over your hard earned possessions when confronted by a criminal, what we are saying is that more often than not discretion is the better part of valor. So unless you are professionally trained to deal with a hijacking situation our advice is try to stay cool, calm and collected so as to that you (and any passengers) come out alive and are able to assist the authorities with further investigations and recovery. 

Hijackers are often pumped up on drugs, fueled by adrenalin and lack professional firearm training – an ugly mix that all too often ends up in disaster. The best advice you could get is to comply with instructions, make controlled, deliberate movements and do nothing that is going to alarm the hijackers. Keep your hands clearly visible and as still as possible, ideally at chest level. Never initiate any movement yourself. This may give the hijacker the impression that you are reaching for a gun or panic button. Remember – the hijackers will be as nervous, if not more so, than you.

Bothas Hill, Gowans Place.  Gatecrashing - Residential (14 August 2011, 6:11:13)       
Suspects derailed the driveway gates. A window was removed and the burglar guard pushed in. A decoder, Hi-Fi and meat were stolen. The suspects fled in the resident's silver-grey Ford Fiesta, registration number NU 129743.

With crime increasing, security experts agree that early detection has now become a necessity. Have your security system assessed by one our security experts and be sure that you know about an intruder before you're face to face with one. It's also extremely frustrating for us to get to the scene of a housebreaking where you can see that the intruder took their time breaking in, and then was in and out within minutes. You'll be amazed at home much stuff you can carry out of a house in two or three minutes.  Perimeter Intruder Detection is the ideal 1st level of protection providing both an early warning of attempted intrusion as well as deterring intruder entry.

Westville, Rockdale Avenue. Housebreaking - Residential (10 August 2011, 11:26:15)       
The bedroom window was forced open and the burglar guard pushed in. A computer was stolen.

Westriding, Leslie Road. Housebreaking - Residential (10 August 2011, 12:21:54)       
Suspects forced open a garden shed window and stole copper pipes.

Morningside, Ivy Road. Housebreaking - Residential  (11 August 2011, 7:15:49)   
Suspects entered the premises through and entered the premises. A laptop was stolen.

Virginia, Blackwood Road. Housebreaking - Residential  (11 August 2011, 20:46:27)        
Suspects jumped over the fence and entered the premises through the roof. A laptop, cell phone and a PSP were stolen.

Laptops are frequently stolen items. Even worse than the theft of the item is the information you had on it is now lost, possibly permanently. First off, make copies of all important documents that are on the laptop and store them separately. Flash drives are affordable and can save you a lot of trauma if you have it hidden away somewhere safe. Even better, make a couple of copies of ultra-important files and keep them in several places. Even give one to a trusted friend. Security should be a habit and a state of mind.  Record the serial number of the laptop, and write it down and keep it somewhere safe. This will help prove ownership to insurance and to the Police if the item is recovered.

Winston Park, Alexander Road.    Housebreaking - Residential (13 August 2011, 23:43:52)       
A lounge window was broken and a laptop was stolen.

Waterfall, Brackenhill Road. Housebreaking - Residential (14 August 2011, 10:09:40)        
Suspects forced open the garage door and tools were stolen.

Botha's Hill, Rob Roy Crescent.  Housebreaking - Residential (14 August 2011, 10:52:22)     
Suspect cut a hole in the fence and entered the yard. The suspects forced open a bedroom window and a PlayStation, laptop, computer, two cell phones, a DVD player and jewellery were stolen.

The electric fence is one of the most underestimated security devices.  An electric fence system consists of a varying number of strands of electric wires which carry high voltage electric pulses. If the fence is touched it delivers a non-lethal but nevertheless extremely powerful electric shock to the would-be intruder. And, linked to your alarm it acts as an early warning detection device, triggering the alarm siren which usually has the effect of frightening off intruders.

Glenmore,  Levenhall Road. Housebreaking - Residential  (14 August 2011, 13:10:36)   
Suspects forced open a kitchen window and jewellery, a laptop and cash were stolen.

Crestholme, Umgeni View Road.  Housebreaking - Residential (14 August 2011, 17:18:44)   
Suspects forced open a window on the top floor and entered the house. A computer was stolen.

Durban North, Burleigh Crescent.  Housebreaking - Residential (16 August 2011, 12:23:28)   
Suspects forced open the driveway gate and the garage door. A bicycle was stolen.

Springfied Park, Intersite Avenue. Housebreaking - Business (12 August 2011, 5:17:14)
Suspects forced open the front door. Four computers were stolen.

Umbilo,  Moore Road. Housebreaking - Business (13 August 2011, 6:24:49)
Suspects forced open a sliding door at the back of the premises. Two computers were stolen.

Newlands, Donkin Road. Housebreaking – Business (14 August 2011, 2:08:51)
Two suspects entered the premises through a hole in the fence. Cables were stolen.

New Germany, Shepstone Road. Housebreaking - Business (14 August 2011, 9:31:35)
Suspects cut the lock on the gate to a storeroom. An air conditioner and metal sheeting were stolen.

New Germany, Blair Atholl Road. Housebreaking - Business (14 August 2011, 20:50:32)         
Suspects broke a window and pushed in the burglar guard. Two computers were stolen.

Gillitts, Old Main Road. Housebreaking - Business (15 August 2011, 5:59:55)   
Suspects forced open the front door and entered the premises. A computer, cigarettes, alcohol and cash were stolen. 

Warner Beach, Almond Road. Housebreaking - Business  (15 August 2011, 12:55:07)
Two black males posing as municipal water meter readers were admitted to the property by the domestic worker.  The suspects overpowered the domestic  worker and locked her in the bedroom. The house was ransacked and a computer, camera, LCD monitor, and cell phone were stolen.

Farningham Ridge, Jelicoe Road. Theft - Residential  (16 August 2011, 9:16:16)
An estate agent arrived at the residents’ home which was On Show and noticed that the driveway gate was damaged and saw two suspects jumping over the perimeter fence. Copper pipes were stolen from the garden.

Pinetown, Old Main Road. Theft - Business (10 August 2011, 5:03:00)   
A suspect walked on to the premises and stole a meter of copper pipe and fled.    

Briardene, North Coast Road. Theft  - Business  (13 August 2011, 19:26:13)   
A motorist filled up with petrol to the value of R631.92 and handed the petrol attendant his debit card for payment. The transaction was declined. The client then took the petrol attendant to an ATM to draw money and this transaction was declined. The petrol attendant was dropped back at the petrol station and handed a cell phone as payment.

OMG, it seems that we’re going back to the old “barter” system! Reminds us of the joke:
A man was showing off his recent vehicle purchase to a colleague and commented “I got it for my wife.” “Mmm, seems like a fair swap” replied the colleague.

Mayville, Jan Smuts Highway. Theft - Business (11 August 2011,20:55:41)   
Four suspects filled up a Toyota Hilux with petrol and oil to the value of R300 stole four bags of charcoal and fled the premises.

Glenwood, Hewitt Road. Theft - Business (14 August 2011, 6:09:58)
Suspects jumped over the fence and stole three spades.

A looting continua – looting SA style.

Glenhills,  Elderberry Drive.Theft of a Motor Vehicle - Residential (10 August 2011, 19:33:31)
A visitor parked a white Toyota Corolla registration number ND 173183 on the verge at about 17h30 and found that the vehicle had been stolen when she left the premises.

The theft of motor vehicles and theft out of motor vehicles is on the increase across Durban. We urge residents not to leave their vehicles parked on the pavements but to rather bring their cars and the cars of their visitors onto your property and to shut driveways gates.  All cars should be fitted with an immobilizer, alarm, gear lock as these are deterrents to opportunists, alternatively have a tracking system installed so that if you can’t prevent the loss, at least you have a chance of recovering the vehicle.

Durban North, Prospect Hall Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle - Residential (11 August 2011, 19:58:22)
Suspects forced open the main gate to the complex and broke into a silver Toyota Conquest, registration ND 11272.

Glenhills, Macushla Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle - Residential  (11 August , 2011 21:25:35)   
Suspects derailed the driveway gate and entered the yard. The suspects broke the door lock of a white VW Golf parked on the premises  and stole a CD player. 
 
Morningside, 9th Avenue. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle (13 August 2011, 10:40:13)   
Suspects used a screwdriver to break into a Toyota Yaris, registration number NC 15839 that was parked on the premises. 

Morningside, Florida Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle (13 August 2011, 23:43:54)         
A Florida Road patron reported to the reaction officer that his vehicle a white Hyundai registration number DK 10 HWGP was broken into.

Glenwood, Queen Mary Avenue. Theft of a Motor Vehicle - Residential (14 August 2011, 12:01:06)
A Blue Honda, registration number ND 384428 was stolen from the verge outside the resident's home.

Glenmore, Grundel Street.  Theft of a Motor Vehicle - Residential (14 August 2011, 19:21:24)   
The resident's white Opel Astra was stolen from outside the property. 

Sherwood, Barnard Road. Theft out of a Motor Vehicle - Residential (15 August 2011, 21:18:18)     
Suspects broke into a green Toyota Tazz parked on the premises with a screwdriver. A CD player was stolen from the vehicle.

Glenwood, Prains Avenue. Trespassing - Residential (10 August 2011, 10:06:58)    
A black male jumped into the yard but fled when he saw the resident.

Haha, run Forest run!

Berea, Botanic Gardens Road. Vandalism - Residential (15 August 2011, 13:55:15)         
The resident reports that a suspect wearing a black jacket with a red collar fled the premises when the alarm was activated. An outside light and a water pipe were damaged. 
   
SUCCESSES 
This week’s successes make for very interesting reading – in a number of incidents residents have applied the type of security measures that we regularly recommend and have reaped the benefits by foiling a would-be burglar.

Amanzimtoti, Galleria Centre. Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle (10 August 2011, 14:54:29)   
Two black males attempted to steal a white Honda bakkie from the car park. The suspects opened the driver side door but could not get the vehicle started. The suspects were arrested by at the scene of the incident by SAPS.

Morningside, Florida Road. Theft - Business (12 August 2011, 18:20:42)   
A suspect was apprehended for shoplifting.

Morningside, Florida Road (13 August 2011, 3:33:42)     
A suspect was apprehended for stealing a bag from a client.    

Berea, Silverton Road. Attempted Housebreaking - Residential (16 August 2011, 4:59:52)   
Suspects cut through a chain securing the driveway gate and forced open the security gate. The door remained secure and the suspects did not enter house.

Foiled, heeha.  Solid core properly installed exterior doors will stop criminals in their tracks as it’s likely while they’re attempting to force the door open, the alarm siren will activate and figuring they’re not likely to plunder your home in under three to five minutes – the time it usually takes for our reaction officers to get to the scene of an activation - the buggers will have kicked up a lot of dust in their attempt  flee  the  crime scene as fast as possible.

Pinetown, Truman Road. Housebreaking - Residential (16 August 2011, 6:10:43)       
The resident heard the sound of breaking glass and went to investigate the noise. The suspects entered the house and the resident armed with a baseball bat confronted the suspects. The suspects fled through a back door and threw a large piece of wood at the resident that broke a window and resulted in the resident cutting his fingers. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the resident were minor and medical attention was not necessary.

Hahaha…  When these guys got home they must have headed straight for the “Cold Water Omo” to try and get their whites white again.

Sarnia, Christian Road.  Gatecrashing – Residential (16 August 2011, 10:07:45)   
The resident's son reports that two suspects pulled up at the driveway gate in an unidentified silver car. The suspects derailed the gate and entered the property. The outside beams triggered the alarm siren and the suspects fled.

Big up to these residents for adequately protecting their property, arming their alarm system, and thereby stopping these criminals from getting close to their home! No, a security system won’t stop the criminal element from attempting to gain access to your property but an adequate security system will see them backing out of a risky situation pronto.

Berea, Moore Road. Attempted Housebreaking - Business (16 August 2011, 11:33:05)   
Suspects forced open the lock on the pedestrian gate and broke three office windows. The suspects were unable to force in the burglar guards and did not enter the premises.

Yip, as we keep saying, sturdy burglar guards are yet another layer of security protection that can stop would-be intruder from entering your premises – doubly so if the alarm is armed and the siren starts wailing while the criminal element is trying to pry them off the wall.

Attempted housebreaking where nothing appears to have been stolen:
Assagay, Cliffdale Road (15 August 2011, 0:05:59)   
Assagay, Fraser Road (14 August 2011, 21:39:35)
Bellair, Bellmuir Place (10 August 2011, 16:52:56)
Berea, Berea Road (10 August 2011, 23:49:48)
Chatsworth, Moorton Drive (13 August 2011, 10:38:51)   
Congella, Sydney Road  (14 August 2011, 14:45:23)   
Durban Central, Prince Street  (15 August 2011, 2:12:13)
Foresthills, Dukele Place  (16 August 2011,21:05:29)   
Glenwood, Clarke Road (14 August 2011, 6:15:29)   
Glenwood, Ferguson Road (12 August 2011, 13:46:20)
Manors, Park Ridge Avenue (12 August 2011, 6:22:56)
Morningside, Florida Road (13 August 2011, 1:43:02)   
Morningside, Maple Road (14 August 2011, 6:04:15)
Morningside,  Windermere (11 August 2011, 8:13:19)   
Moseley Park, Saddle Road (10 August 2011, 11:26:08)
Parkhill,  Conyngham Avenue (10 August 2011, 18:38:36)   
Pinetown, Fyfe Place (11 August 2011, 6:46:38)
Pinetown, Halifax Road (11 August 2011, 7:22:09)
Pinetown, Richmond Road (10 August 2011, 8:34:13)
Rosehill, Atterbury Road (14 August 2011, 13:35:58)
Seaview,  Menin Road (12 August 2011, 3:09:13)
Umbilo, Gale Street (13 August 2011, 21:00:44)   
Umbogintwini, Openheimer Road (10 August 2011, 9:34:24)   
Waterfall, Brackenhill Road (15 August 2011, 12:25:33)
Winifreds, Edward Road (11 August 2011, 10:33:10)   
Westmead, Sugarbush Crescent (11 August 2011, 3:55:50)