Port Elizabeth: MyPE

www.MyPE.co.za: From the Atlas Security Crime Newsletter we have picked out a couple of interesting crime incidents:

A NIGHTCLUB in Heugh Road, Walmer had to call for an ambulance after a man collapsed outside the popular venue on Tuesday (2 March) night shortly before 9pm. The 55-year-old man, who had been walking down the road from the direction of South End, had apparently had his throat slit and was bleeding profusely.

The ambulance arrived and the man was taken to provincial hospital, but died on route. Police are investigating a case of murder.

Atlas Guard Catches Mugger in Richmond Hill

AN ATLAS armed response guard on patrol in Richmond Hill came to the aid of a woman who had just been mugged in St Stephens Street on Tuesday, and caught the suspect involved in St Phillips Street shortly thereafter. Police arrived on the scene and the suspect was arrested.

Police Catch Pot Thief Before Residents Even Notice Theft

A FAMILY living in Jason Street, Framesby, didn't even know that they had been the victims of theft until the police knocked on their door on Monday evening and returned a collection of empty potplants to them.

Apparently the police had noticed a man walking down the road with the pots and had stopped to question him. He confessed that he had stolen the pots from the lapa area at the back of the house. He was arrested and has been charged with theft.

Would be Robber Narrowly Misses Getting Shot While Trying to Escape

A WOULD-BE robber got more than he bargained for after trying to force his way into a townhouse in 8th Avenue Walmer in the early hours of Monday morning. The owner, who had been lying in bed with the window open shortly after 1am, noticed someone trying to open the curtains. She sms'ed her neighbour who immediately pressed his panic button and the man fled. Another neighbour noticed what the man was wearing and informed Atlas armed response officers who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.

The officers then heard shots being fired nearby, and rushed to the scene, where they found the would-be robber coming out of premises in Prospect road. Apparently the owner had noticed the man in their yard and fired off a warning round. Atlas detained the man until police arrived and arrested him on charges of attempted break in and trespassing.

Man Shot, Bleeds to Death in Fatal Robbery

A MAN was shot in the chest, under his right arm, and bled to death in Sidwell Avenue, Sidwell on Saturday morning, after robbers followed him from a bank where he had drawn a large sum of money. The man, aged 40, had gone to the bank and drew a large sum of money for his business. It is believed that three men, driving a white polo with Durban licence plates, followed him to the business.

When he saw the three men behind him at the gate, the man allegedly tried to reverse, and one of his attackers opened fire. He was shot through the driver's side window. The men then grabbed the cash and fled the scene in the Polo. Atlas armed response, ambulance and police all arrived at the scene and attempted to resuscitate the man, but he bled out due to his wounds and passed away.

Here are some safety tips to avoid becoming the victim of such a robbery:

If you are a small business person and you need to make cash deposit at your bank on regular basis;

Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash.
Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you (especially your employees).
Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue.
Avoid carrying money bags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book .
It's advisable to identify another bank branch nearby that you can visit to ensure that your banking pattern is not easily figured out.
If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grow, consider the possibility of using a cash management company.

If you are a business person and you need to draw cash from your bank on regular basis to pay wages to your contract and casual labourers, apply these TIPS to avoid being a victim of robberies;

Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public.
Refrain from driving to bank branches in your marked business car full of labourers on a typical 'pay day'.
Arrange an alternative "pay day' with your contract or casual labourers instead of sticking to the standard last day of the week or fortnight.
Arrange for transfer of the wages of your contract or casual labourers into their personal accounts.

Knife Wielding Man Arrested in Parliament Street

A MAN was caught by Atlas Security response officers after receiving a call of a man threatening customers outside a popular eatery in Parliament Street in Central last Friday night.

The man was allegedly threatening people with a knife, but fled when he saw the armed response vehicle arriving. They gave chase and caught him, handing him over to the police.

Business Robbed by Gang of Men in Central

A BUSINESS operating in Parliament Square Central was robbed by a gang of men last Thursday afternoon. According to the owner between 10 and 15 men came into the store and robbed him. Some of the men allegedly took the owner one side while the others looted the premises, taking money from a safe as well as alcohol, before fleeing.

The men were apparently not armed. Police are investigating a case of robbery.

E-mail Circulating About Rape at a Shopping Centre in Lorraine

An e-mail has been circulating about an incident alleged to have taken place at a well known shopping complex in Lorraine. According to the mail, a woman was attacked in her vehicle on a Saturday night while waiting for her boyfriend in the parking lot. It then alleges that another woman had previously been dragged into the security toilets and raped and that the gym in the area had advised women not to utilise the gym after 8pm.

On following up the information, Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg says that only three cases have been reported for the complex since January, namely a car that was stolen, a robbery and an assault case. She could not confirm whether the robbery or assault were linked to the e-mail, but stated categorically that no rape had been reported.

The gym has denied that any attack took place, and have stated that they have not advised their female patrons not to utilise the gym after 8pm.

Neighbourhood Watch, School and Traffic Officials Team up

On Thursday last week a special enforcement exercise was undertaken by a few traffic officers around the Framesby High School in Framesby, Port Elizabeth. This exercise was undertaken in conjunction with the Framesby Neighbourhood Watch and Framesby High School, who advised the parents and students that they should comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act. Even with the circulars issued, 32 cases were recorded including, among others, 13 fines issued for no driver's license, three fines for learner driver not accompanied by licensed driver and six fines for unlicensed motor vehicles.

There were unlicensed drivers as young as 14 years, who were stopped by the officers, who are required by the Criminal Procedure Act to issue the notice to appear in court to the parent or Legal Guardian. Some of the parents were upset by the fact that we were required by law to follow these steps .

Children who are this young do not have the mental ability to assess emergency situations as an adult would, which could have serious consequences, resulting in fatal or serious injury accidents.

Neighbourhood Watch Contacts:

Framesby Neighbourhood Watch: Danie 083-654-5764, Dirk 082-570-0328
Fernglen Community Watch: Contact Corrie Meyer 0832709895 or Ken Jack 0845108691
Garden Suburb Crime Forum: This area includes Lorraine, Lorraine Manor, Kamma Park, Kamma Heights, Goldwater, Woodlands, Weybridge Park, Kragga Kamma Park and Hancorn. Contact Glenn Scheepers on 084-288-0594 for more information.
Greenbushes/Waterkloof Neighbourhood watch: D Thomas 082-968-6984 or 041 372 2310 or donthom[at]telkomsa.net. You can also contact Wilhelm Puchert on 082-473-0084 or Jeffrey Slater on 084-504-2526
Mount Croix area: Jacquie 083-740-9734 or 041-373-5015 jacquieb[at]lantic.net
Millard Grange (Incorporating Glendinningvale and Parsons Hill): Tim mgcfpost[at]inconsult.co.za or call 082-781-1770.
Mount Pleasant: Residents from Mount Pleasant East (Rhodes St. east to Glendore-Genadendal) can contact Edward on 078-114-1669. Mount Pleasant West (Rhodes St. west to Boundary Lane) can contact Donald on 082-320-9990
Redhouse Weekend Neighbourhood Watch: David 041-463-2734 and 082-411-7429
South End Community Watch: Karen Karen[at]xtremeacademy.co.za or call 082-320-3154
Summerstrand Neighbourhood Watch: Clifford 041-583-2541 or 072-306-8812
Sydenham Neighbourhood Watch: Maureen Viviers 082-868-7930 or Noleen Dippenaar 083-489-4093
Westering Neighbourhood Watch: Nigel Fitt nfneighbourhoodwatch[at]gmail.com or 082-747-1471

Crime Snapshot

This is the list of incidents reported to Atlas Security over the past week. Bearing in mind that a portion of these incidents are not related to Atlas Security:

ON WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2010:

01:55 A residence in Kemsley Street, Richmond Hill was burgled. The suspects made a hole in the door and opened the door. Entry was gained.
05:27 An armed robbery took place at a business in Burman Road, Deal Party. Three suspects entered the yard and threatened the security guard with knives. They tied him up and broke the bathroom window. They stole copper piping and office equipment.
05:47 Thieves attempted to steal a vehicle from a residence in Papenkuil Street, Westering. The car was unlocked and the valuables in the car was stolen.
07:30 A Thomas Road, Walmer client's son committed suicide by hanging himself.
08:30 A business in Hammond Street, Sidwell was burgled. The suspects broke the window and gained entry.
08:54 An armed robbery took place at a business in Singaphi Street, New Brighton. Four suspects robbed the client of an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects fled in a vehicle.
12:52 A premises in Murrel Crescent, Framesby was burgled. The suspects broke through the bathroom window and gained entry. This is not an Atlas client.
15:13 Thieves entered a business in Ranger Street, Markman Industrial and tried to steal metal.
19:50 A suspect was threatening people with a knife outside a business in Cape Road, Newton Park. The response officer arrested him and handed him over to the SAPS.

ON THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2010:

02:12 A business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End was burgled. The suspects forced open the front door and they are not sure whether entry was gained.
02:27 A business in Deare Street, Central was burgled. The suspects smashed the back window and forced open the burglar bars. Entry was gained. The suspects stole computers.
04:16 A residence in Sara Avenue, Blue Water Bay had an attempted burglary. Two suspects tried to enter the house. The suspect fired a warning shot and this gave chase to the suspects. No entry was gained.
08:05 A business in Cape Road, Mill Park was burgled. The suspects broke the back window and gained entry.
13:47 The response officer attended to a medical emergency at a school in Lawson Road, Sydenham. A 13 year old gild had a seizure.
14:13 A business in Cambell Street, Central had an attempted burglary. The suspects tried to push open a few windows but did not gain entry.
14:48 An armed robbery took place at a business in Parliament Square, Central. The client reported that 5 to 10 suspects entered his premises and opened the safe. They were not armed. The suspects fled with money and stock.
15:35 A residence in Bishops Way, Bridgemead was burgled. The suspects broke into the kitchen area. The owner is not sure whether entry was gained. This is not an Atlas client.
19:56 A Pickering Street, Newton Park client reported that there was someone in her yard. The response officer found an intoxicated man in the yard and the SAPS arrived to arrest him. She mentioned that this happens almost every night.

ON FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2010:

01:14 A business at the PE Harbour, Central had an attempted burglary. The suspect broke through the wall and wanted to steal food. The response officer arrested the suspect.
01:37 A premises in Pickering Street, Newton Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects made a hole in the window and the client is not sure whether entry was gained.
03:10 A residence in Mc Arthur Drive, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects kicked in the window and the burglar bars. Entry was gained.
06:44 A business in Grahamstown Road, Deal Party was burgled. The suspects broke a window and bent the burglar bars.
07:15 A business in Darby Road, Deal Party was burgled. The suspects broke the perimeter gate and entered the yard. They stole goods from the yard.
08:15 Thieves broke into a vehicle at a business in Cuyler Street, Central.
15:38 Thieves attempted to steal a laptop from a business in Paterson Road, North End. The client is not sure how they gained entry as they have a security guard on site. The security guard chased the suspects away.
15:46 Two suspects entered a business in Marine Drive, Summerstrand attempted to steal two flat screen tv's. The security guard on site chased the suspects and retrieved the stolen goods.
20:00 A premises in Thrush Road, Greenshields Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects broke the wendy house window but nothing was stolen.
21:40 A man was fighting outside a business in Circular Drive, Lorraine. He damaged the front door and broke a window.
23:57 A man threatened to stab people with a knife, outside a business in Parliament Street, Central. The response officer arrested him.

ON SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2010:

00:47 A business in Albert Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open the back door and stole computers.
01:03 A business in First Avenue, Walmer was burgled. The suspects kicked in the burglar bars and gained entry. The suspects fled with a lap top when they saw the client arrive.
01:29 A business in Kragga Kamma Road, Theescombe was burgled. The suspects forced open the front door and gained entry.
04:16 A business in Cape Road, Mill Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the window but no entry was gained.
10:23 Four men assaulted a man in the parking area outside a business in Cape Road, Hunters Retreat. The SAPS attended to the incident.
10:45 An armed robbery took place at a business in Sidwell Avenue, Sidwell. A man was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash that he drew at the ATM. The suspects shot the man and grabbed the money and fled in a white polo. The man passed away.
12:41 A business in Portgieter Street, Parsons Hill was burgled. The suspects broke a small window and kicked in the burglar bars.
15:12 An armed robbery took place at a premises in Bradley Street, Summerstrand. Two men robbed a student of his cellphone and laptop.
18:29 Thieves stole a copper tap from the yard of a business in Cape Road, Mill Park.
19:52 A vehicle accident took place in Glendore Road. The driver rolled the vehicle and was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
23:31 A couple was fighting at a business in Old Cape Road, Greenbushes. The owner wanted them removed from their premises.

ON SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2010:

05:32 A business in Western Road, Central had an attempted burglary. The suspects attempted to break through a window.
18:26 A security guard was drunk and disorderly at a business in Greenbushes. He wanted to stab his supervisor.
18:54 The response officer attended to a medical emergency at a residence in Kragga Kamma Road, Kragga Kamma. The client was not feeling well and suffers from high blood pressure. An ambulance was dispatched to the incident.
21:02 Thieves broke into a vehicle at a residence in Richmond Hill, Richmond Hill. The client saw the suspects breaking into the vehicle and they fled in a red Mazda when they saw the client.
22:43 A business in Third Avenue, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open the front window.
22:46 A business in Heatherbank Road, Charlo was burgled. The suspects forced open the front door and the suspects fled when the alarm went off.

ON MONDAY 01 MARCH 2010:

00:29 A residence in Prospect Road, Walmer had an attempted burglary. The security gate was locked and the sliding door was open. The client saw the suspect open the curtain but he fled. The armed response officers saw the suspect running in Prospect Road and arrested him.
01:50 A vehicle accident took place on the corner of 4th Avenue and Worraker Street, Newton Park. No one was seriously injured during this incident.
03:11 A residence in Beethoven Drive, Walmer Heights had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the window but no entry was gained.
03:31 A business in Third Avenue, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open the wooden door and broke a few windows. Entry was gained. They attempted to rip the plasma tv from the wall but did not succeed.
07:03 A business in Neal Street, Neave Township was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and gained entry.
09:02 A business in Ackeer Crescent, Chatty was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and stole copper pipes.
10:02 Thieves attempted to steal from a business in Cape Road, Newton Park. They broke a window and attempted to steal goods from a stand close to the window.
15:23 Thieves stole washing from a residence in College Drive, Mill Park.
17:25 Thieves broke into a vehicle at a residence in Le Morne Avenue, Lorraine.
20:49 A business in Parliament Street, Central had an attempted burglary. The suspects loosened the burglar bars but did not gain entry.
23:11 A Jason Street, Framesby client reported that the SAPS arrested suspects who was in possession of stolen goods. The suspects confirmed that they stole the goods from the client. No entry was gained into the premises.
23:39 A premises in Prospect Hill, Central was burgled. The suspects forced open the window and gained entry.
23:48 A business in Bergeus Road, Lorraine had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the double doors. Nothing was stolen.

ON TUESDAY 02 MARCH 2010:

02:03 A business in Wyndomayne Road, Little Chelsea was burgled. The suspects forced open a door.
02:03 A suspect attempted to steal a scooter outside a business in Walmer Boulevard, South End.
02:34 A business in Pohl Street, North End was burgled. The suspects broke through the roof by removing the roof sheeting. Entry was gained.
02:49 A residence in Sibelius Street, Walmer Heights was burgled. The suspects smashed a window and pulled their loot through the window.
03:11 An armed robbery took place at a business in Prospect Road, Walmer. The security guard reported that two suspects hit him over the head with a gun and robbed him of his money.
08:19 A lady was robbed in Bradley Road, Summerstrand. The armed response officer assisted her after she called for help.
12:20 A business in Seventh Avenue, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects broke through a window.
15:41 A client reported that they saw a man sitting on Van Stadens bridge, writing a letter. The Control Room alerted the SAPS to attend to the matter.
20:58 The response officers attended to a medical emergency at a premises in Heugh Road, Walmer. A man was stabbed and collapsed in front of the clients premises. The ambulance arrived and took the man to the hospital.

Contact Atlas Security.