THREE armed robberies were among an alarming total of 35 crime incidents reported to Blue Security recently. This has prompted a message of warning to highway residents from the security company’s managing director Darryn le Grange.
In one of several housebreaking incidents reported in Westville, four armed robbers held up a Waterfall Avenue home, tying up the victim before fleeing with a laptop, computer, cell phone and cash in the victim’s vehicle.
In another incident a domestic worker was held up at gunpoint in Marlowe Avenue in Westville at 2am when two armed robbers stole her cell phone and cash. They then forced open a window of the main house and stole a cell phone. The robbers fled when they realised the home owner had seen them on the property.
A resident was also robbed in York Road in Gillitts when the robber walked through an open door, held up the owner at knifepoint and fled with jewellery, a cell phone and cash.
Le Grange said there were 20 housebreakings reported to Blue Security from Assagay to Westville recently as well as incidents of attempted housebreaking, theft, trespassing and vandalism. Several incidents took place in secure complexes.
“Housebreakers were both on foot and in vehicles and gained entry onto properties by derailing driveway gates, cutting fences and forcing open doors and windows. In one incident a housebreaker tried to enter the property through a pet flap but fled when the dog barked. They targeted homes often in the morning before 8am but there were also incidents reported throughout the day and night,” Le Grange said.
Among the incidents reported were crimes in Edward Drive and Moyeni Drive in Gillitts, Rapson Road and Angus Road in Hillcrest; Tyburn Way and Payne Street in Pinetown; Kinloch Avenue, Sylavania Road and Old New Germany Road in Westville; Mkhize Road, McKenzie Road and Zulu Reserve Road in Botha’s Hill; Lahle Crescent, Brackenhill Road and Woodbush Road in Waterfall and Dudley Road and Woodside Avenue in Cowies Hill.
Le Grange urged residents to be vigilant and to keep their properties secured and alarms activated during the day and night.
“Unfortunately, we can’t afford to be complacent in the fight against crime, as we are only as secure as our weakest entry point. Even residents in secure complexes must remember to keep doors and windows closed during the day as criminals may seize the opportunity to strike. We have had incidents where housebreakers have jumped over complex walls and cut fences to break into sectional title units,” said Le Grange.
He added that the installation of gate contacts that activate the alarm the moment a gate is tampered with, as well as external beams, provided an early warning system.
“An early warning enables residents to lock themselves in a safe room and alert their security company and the police of intruders. It could also help to frighten away intruders,” concluded Le Grange.
