BEREA police are warning residents to be more vigilant and aware.
On Saturday, 24 September, a resident in Currie Road heard the door buzzer go off at around 8am. He did not open the door but instead went to check who it was. He spotted a man, around 39 years old wearing black clothing with a ladder. he had another two men with him. He phoned Berea Police who responded but by the time they arrived the three men had left the property. Police patrolled the area and noticed the man with the ladder and recovered stolen property which included the ladder, a leather pouch, calculator and sunglasses. The suspect was charged with housebreaking and theft and appeared in court on 26 September.
Berea residents are urged to test their alarm system regularly and ensure it is well maintained. “Make sure your alarm system is connected to an armed response company and that you have static panic buttons placed in stragegic areas of your home or business,” said Berea's Captain PN Naidoo, adding that panic buttons should be tested weekly.
Residents are warned to be aware of scams and not to part with money by depositing it into bnk accounts without first verifying they are paying for what they want to buy or rent. “Check whether the person you are dealing with is not a fraudster,”warned Capt Naidoo. He urged people not to pay for anything they haven't checked out for themselves. “Even people you hire must be checked out. Don't pay upfront for a job, because then the person will disappear,” he warned.Captain Naidoo said people were still being lax about security and sitting int he vehicles late at night chatting. “These people are exposing themselves as targets for criminals. They should rather chat in their homes or go to a public place like a restaurant or any other place where they will be safe,” he said.
