Blue Security managing director, Darryn le Grange said housebreakers had targeted homes in broad daylight, mostly in mid-morning and afternoon, when it was unlikely anyone would be at home, although one resident had come face-to-face with an armed robber.
“An armed robber held up a resident at knifepoint in his garage in Anna Scheepers Road in Shulton Park after entering the home through a sliding door. Fortunately the resident was not harmed,” said Le Grange.
He said the robber fled over the back fence with a television, brush cutter and tools. The incident was reported to Toti SAPS.
Le Grange said housebreaking incidents and thefts were reported in Rockview Road, Royston Road, Dan Pienaar Road, Cato Crescent, Kingsley Terrace and Entombeni Road in Toti, Queens Terrace and Seadoone Road in Doonside and Elizabeth Avenue in Illovo Beach.
“Housebreakers gained entry to the properties by breaking or forcing open windows and cutting burglar bars.”
Items reported stolen included three laptops, an extension lead, three televisions, a handbag, jewellery, a portable charger, five pairs of shoes and a fridge.
“In Isundu Road, housebreakers cut a hole in the fence of a property in the early hours of the morning, before forcing open a window and burglar bars to steal a laptop.”
Le Grange also cautioned garage managers and staff to be vigilant, after a motorist driving a VW Citi Golf filled up with petrol at a garage in Doonside and fled without paying.
“We urge residents and business owners to be vigilant as crime moves in cycles through the suburbs of the city. By being vigilant we can stop crimes before they are committed and help to make our suburbs feel safe again,” said Le Grange.
