DURBAN North SAPS has urged contractors and construction workers to be hyper-vigilant around construction equipment after a series of thefts in the area. The latest incident involved a gang of opportunistic thieves who targeted a construction site at the intersection of Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard and Meridian Drive.
According to Willem Goosen, security manager for the Umhlanga Ridge Management Association, the suspects made off with a Reversible Compactor in the theft last Wednesday.
“The incident occurred at about 2.30pm and the suspects were driving around and were obviously just looking for an opportunity when they spotted the machine. The suspects were able to pack the piece of construction equipment in their vehicle before speeding off. We are appealing to workers and contractors to remain vigilant around their valuables as there has been a series of thefts targeting construction and electronic equipment across various areas,” he said.
In other crime news: Virginia resident recounts armed robbery ordeal
Two weeks ago, a case of robbery was opened after a contractor laying fibre on the M41 (going towards uMhlanga) was robbed at gunpoint.
According to Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, police are searching for two suspects who made off with cell phones and a splicer machine.
“The 31-year-old victim was busy installing fibre on the M41 when he noticed a white Nissan bakkie stop close to him. One of the suspects jumped out of the passenger side and grabbed a splicer machine, used in the fibre industry, two cell phones and a wallet from the worker’s pocket.
“The second suspect and driver of the vehicle had a firearm pointed at the victim throughout the ordeal. The suspects then drove off in a westerly direction. There were no shots fired and luckily no one was injured. We’ve opened a case of armed robbery,” he said.
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