Spike in crime takes over Susman Avenue in Blairgowrie

Susman Avenue in Blairgowrie has recently been the target of criminal activity with multiple burglaries reported over the past week.

One incident involved the theft of wheels from a parked vehicle, leaving resident Lebogang Tlou feeling violated and vulnerable. “I woke up to find my car balancing on bricks and now I have to walk to work and back. I use taxis and the Gautrain to move around. It is expensive and tiring.”

All four tyres were stolen from Tlou’s car. Replacing them would cost him much more than what he earns in a month. “I feel restricted and I don’t trust anybody anymore. Everybody should protect their vehicles and get nut locks on their wheels.”

Lisa Ferreira, another resident of Susman Avenue, fell victim to the second burglary when her gate motor was stolen. “It feels like our street has become a hotspot, I am aware of three incidents that happened last week. Early on Tuesday morning, they [suspects] kicked the one side of our gate in and stole the gate motor.”

“We don’t feel safe anymore and add to that the water and power issues, it’s worrying.”

Michael Steyn, the public relations officer of the Honeydew Community Policing Forum, shed light on the concerning trend. “This is currently a syndicate that is operating in the Johannesburg area. We and security companies are actively collaborating with SAPS and detectives to share information about the cases and suspects involved.”

Steyn highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement. “Residents often share details like video footage on community groups, which alerts suspects and hampers our investigations.”

He also emphasized the importance of timely reporting, citing a recent incident where a suspect was apprehended but then released because a case was not opened. “Residents must report incidents immediately to ensure swift action by law enforcement,” Steyn urged.

The theft of wheels from parked vehicles has become a recurring occurrence, with criminals gaining access to properties and leaving vehicles stranded on bricks. To mitigate this risk, Steyn advised homeowners to use lock nuts on their tyres and install beams linked to armed response companies to enhance security measures.

Regarding the theft of gate motors, Steyn said, “While not a new phenomenon, there has been a noticeable uptick in these crimes. Criminals target gate motors either to resell them or use them for spare parts.”

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