Pool scoop used in robbery

OPEN windows let in more than cool air warned Durban North SAPS after two incidents of theft on Chartwell Drive. Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station said in the first incident, thieves used a pool scoop to drag a laptop of the living room table through a window that was left open.

In the second incident a day later, thieves used a long thin branch to reach in through the windows and hook the keys on to the branch.

“The men then entered the property through the front door and made off with a flatscreen TV, a wedding ring, earrings and a watch. We suspect the men were the same group from the night before,” he said. Deokaran added this was not the first time criminals had gained access through an open window.

“We’ve had a spate of break-ins where criminals have gained access through open windows, especially in complexes where residents feel safer.”

Last month three suspects gained access to a house on Old Bush Road through and open window and held up a La Lucia family at knife-point. “The residents were confronted by the men who tied them up before loading the plasma TV, laptop, watches and an iPad into the homeowners toyota, which was also stolen. The registration of the vehicle has been circulated but there has been no arrests,” he said.