The Linden Police would like to make the community aware of the emergence of a crime trend targeting houses advertised for sale or rent.
Linden police spokesperson Constable Takalani Matumba said, “These incidents are taking place mostly in the Linden and Parkview policing areas, but we require residents of all areas to remain vigilant.”
She said that in recent incidents, the modus operandi of criminals is one where a singular suspect will approach the house advertised for sale for a viewing. While pretending to be interested in purchasing the property, that suspect will distract the owner by asking to use the bathroom or have a drink of water.
Only after the suspect has left will the owner notice that small items like jewellery, cellphones and wallets are missing from the property.
Matumba added, “As we move it to the later stages of the Covid-19 lockdown, we would also like to warn domestic workers and their employers in the area to be more vigilant of this type of crime and to be careful who they open the houses and gates for. If a house is advertised for sale, only let viewers in when the owner of the house is around or arrange with an estate agent.”
