From the Atlas Security Crime Newsletter we have picked out a couple of interesting crime incidents:
Shortly after 14h00 on Tuesday afternoon this week, an educational institution in William Street, Cotswold, was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money.
An employee, who was in the office at the time, reported that a man walked in wanting to pay fees for a learner at the institution. She told the man that the fees had already been paid in advance. The next minute, he pulled out a gun and demanded her to open the cash box and hand over all the money.
After she had given him the money, he demanded that she stay inside the office and keep quiet about the incident, otherwise he would start firing outside.
The suspect then fled on foot with his loot.
The Police have reason to believe that two suspects might have been involved and it seems that information could have been leaked to the suspect before the robbery. The employee was able to give a description of the man who threatened her. He was wearing a hooded white jacket and a pair of grey pants.
ATLAS Response Officers patrolling the surrounding area after the incident, noticed two suspicious-looking men hitchhiking on the side of the road, but could not confirm a match to the description they had been given.
No one was injured during the incident and no shots were fired. A case of armed robbery has been opened with the Police.
Female driver catches thieves red-handed as they attempt to steal her car
A member of the public contacted ATLAS to report that two suspects tried to steal her car from a parking lot in Circular Drive, Lorraine just before 20h00 on Monday evening.
The woman was on her way to her car when she noticed a suspect inside the vehicle. The suspect had used a screwdriver to undo the lock and was in the process of trying to start the vehicle. When he saw the woman, he started to run and she chased after him. She then noticed a second suspect inside her car. He also jumped out and quickly made off in a VW Caddy bakkie.
It was later determined that the registration number of the bakkie matched that of a green VW Golf.
The woman had to open a case at a Police Station and confirmed that she would do so the following morning.
Burglar tries to break into safe while domestic worker is in the house
A burglar tried to break into a safe at a Flormay Road, Framesby Gardens residence at 15h36 on Wednesday afternoon last week.
ATLAS received information of the house robbery in progress at the non-ATLAS residence and a Response Team was dispatched to assist. Upon their arrival, the Police were already on the scene and had begun conducting an investigation.
Apparently the burglar gained entry into the house and started fiddling with the safe. The domestic worker only managed to get a glimpse of the suspect and described that his hair was in dreadlocks.
Fortunately the domestic worker was not injured during the incident and the suspect fled empty-handed.
Armed robbers lock owner in storeroom and ransack Central business
ATLAS received information of an armed robbery that took place at a business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, Central at 09h03 on Wednesday morning last week.
Apparently two robbers, armed with 9 mm pistols, entered the business, overpowered the owner and forced him into the storeroom. They assaulted him before they locked him in, and then proceeded to gather their loot.
The suspects robbed the business of an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot. After the incident unfolded, the owner contacted the Police and issued them with a detailed description of the suspects and the area was thoroughly searched.
A case of armed robbery was opened and is being investigated.
Adcockvale shop owner robbed at gunpoint
ATLAS Response Officers were dispatched to a business in Rochelle Road, Adcockvale at 16h34 on Tuesday afternoon, where an armed robbery was taking place.
Four suspects entered the shop, two of whom where armed with guns. The suspects held the business owner and his wife at gunpoint and managed to get around the counter to the cash register. They grabbed all the money, as well as a bag containing coins, and fled on foot in the direction of a school in the area.
The suspects managed to get away and a case of armed robbery was opened with the Police.
Crime Snapshots
TUESDAY 31 MAY:
- 11:36 A resident of Kragga Kamma Road, Framesby, reported a burglary. The burglars forced open a back window of the house, kicked in the burglar bars and gained entry. The client could not determine whether anything had been stolen.
- 12:14 A business in Lippstreu Avenue, Redhouse was burgled. The suspects broke through one of the walls and managed to cut some of the alarm wires. Nothing was reported stolen.
- 14:12 An educational institution in William Street, Cotswold was robbed at gunpoint by an intruder pretending to be paying tuition fees for an student. When the employee informed him that the fees had already been paid in advance, he pulled out a gun and demanded she open the cash box and hand him the contents. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Two suspects were involved. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
- 18:15 A security guard confirmed a burglary at a residence in Marius Close, Bridgemeade. The property is not currently monitored by ATLAS Security. The suspects entered by kicking in and opening the front door. No loss was reported.
MONDAY 30 MAY 2011:
- 08:27 A robbery took place at a business in Sutton Road, Sidwell. The thieves cut part of the barbed wire fencing from the wall and entered the yard. They then smashed the driver’s side window of a vehicle and made off with a battery and a tyre.
- 14:40 ATLAS received information of a burglary that took place in Glenroy Drive, Glenroy. The suspects broke into the wendy house on the property and made off with their loot. ATLAS Response Officers managed to retrieve some of the stolen goods behind the wendy house and also found the suspects’ shoes.
- 16:52 A burglary was reported at a residence in Gleneagle Road, Charlo. The thieves gained entry by breaking the left hand side bottom window and kicking in the burglar bars. They managed to steal an undisclosed number of items.
- 19:48 An incident of attempted vehicle theft was reported in Circular Drive, Lorraine. A member of the public was approaching her car when she noticed a suspect inside it. The locks on her car had been broken. When the woman chased the suspect, she saw a second suspect inside her vehicle. The suspect jumped out and fled in a Caddy bakkie. It was later determined that the registration number did not match the vehicle.
- 23:27 Theft was reported from a business in Sidon Street, North End. The thieves gained entry by breaking the locks on the front door and kicking it in. They stole two laptops, a welder and other goods.
SUNDAY 29 MAY 2011:
- 01:32 An attempted burglary was reported at a business in Adam Street, Salsoneville. The back door was forced open and the side gate had been cut open with a grinder and an axe. It could not be determined whether anything had been removed from the premises.
- 02:15 Thieves stole a laptop from a residence in Zenios Place, Summerstrand. The suspects gained entry by kicking in the burglar bars of a window that had been left slightly open.
- 02:53 A homeowner reported a burglary in Erasmus Drive, Summerstrand. The suspects gained entry through the kitchen window and exited through the sliding door. A laptop and the client’s handbag were reported stolen.
- 05:47 An attempted burglary was reported at a business in Sixth Avenue, Walmer. The left hand side window of the building was smashed, but nothing could be confirmed stolen.
- 06:22 A resident of Gordon Terrace, Central reported a robbery. A thief stuck his hand through an open window on the second floor, took items from the owner’s handbag and fled.
- 12:47 An attempted burglary was reported at an institution in Adam Street, Salsoneville. Three suspects broke down a part of the back wall and gained entry into the yard. When they were seen by the owner, they fled. No loss was reported.
- 16:05 ATLAS received information that suspects had broken into a business in Pax Street, Neave Township. The suspects gained entry through the roof and stole steel. The Police managed to arrest one of the suspects.
- 17:42 An employee at a business in Weinronk Way, Bluewater Bay, was assaulted by a member of the public. The suspect was driving a green Audi. The employee was left with a scratch on his left eye.
- 17:52 A thug attempted to steal goods from a shop in Van Eck Street, Lorraine. The suspect ran away and no loss was reported.
- 22:23 A resident reported a case of vandalism in Hollis Close, Beverley Grove. Four shots were fired at one of the windows. It could not be determined whether the damage was done by a pellet gun or a firearm.
SATURDAY 28 MAY 2011:
- 00:37 ATLAS Response Officers caught three suspects on the corner of Sutton Road, Sidwell. They were in possession of a gate and pieces of iron.
- 01:07 Four suspects were caught and arrested for trespassing in the yard of a premises in College Drive, Mill Park.
- 09:35 ATLAS Response Officers assisted the Police in arresting a suspect who was verbally abusing members of the public in Caledon Street, Uitenhage.
- 12:16 Thieves stole a laptop from a business in Westbourne Road, Central. The business owner reported that two accomplices were distracting her whilst the third took the laptop.
- 12:21 A residence in Schaefer Square, Humewood had an attempted burglary. The main bedroom window was forced open and the burglar bars were kicked in. Nothing was reported stolen.
- 12:30 Information was received from a homeowner in College Drive, Mill Park. A suspect, armed with a knife, had been causing trouble in their yard. ATLAS Response Officers had to remove the knife from the suspect and escort him from the premises.
- 13:40 An attempted burglary was reported at a residence in Cape Road, Mill Park. Two windows had been broken, but no loss was reported and no entry was gained.
- 15:58 An incident of drunk and disorderly conduct was reported at a premises in Godlonton Avenue, Miramar. The Police followed up on the incident.
- 16:30 A resident of Kock Street, Summerstrand, reported that his house had been burgled. The suspects broke a couple of windows and gained entry. Laptops and computers were reported stolen.
- 16:37 A homeowner in College Drive, Mill Park, reported that her neighbour had been assaulted. When the neighbour arrived home, there was an unknown vehicle parked outside the premises. When the woman approached the vehicle to investigate, the suspect attacked her and made off with her car keys. Fortunately, the victim only suffered a few minor injuries.
- 17:05 A burglary was reported at a residence in Woodhead Drive, Humewood. Suspects gained entry by forcing the front door open. They made off with credit cards and old jewellery.
- 17:41 An attempted burglary was reported by a resident of Cassia Drive, Sunridge Park. The suspects managed to loosen a part of a glass door, but did not gain entry. No loss was reported.
- 17:56 Thugs attempted to take money out of a till at a business in Crawford Street, North End. They did not succeed and fled from the premises.
- 19:24 Copper piping was stolen from a business in Fifth Avenue, Newton Park.
- 19:50 A resident reported that she noticed force marks on the front door of her home in Mountview, Malabar. No entry was gained and no loss was reported.
FRIDAY 27 MAY 2011:
- 09:41 ATLAS Response Officers managed to catch and arrest two suspects after they attempted to break into a residence in Angela Avenue, Charlo. The suspects cut the wires of the alarm through the kitchen window, but could not gain entry into the main house. They then cut the locks to the wendy house and entered. One of the suspects was eighteen years of age and the other, fourteen. Nothing was reported stolen. The Police followed up on the incident.
- 11:59 ATLAS received information that a twelve-year-old boy in Milner Street, Mount Pleasant was transported to St. George’s hospital after he drank a cool drink that possibly contained a substance that made him feel sick.
- 12:21 Thieves kicked in the door of a residence in Hampshire Road, Sherwood and gained entry. They also smashed the bathroom window. A jewellery box was stolen.
- 14:36 A woman in Buckingham Road, Mount Croix was assaulted by two suspects. They gained entry into her flatlet, threw her onto her bed and removed all her jewellery. ATLAS Response Officers assisted until the Police arrived and the woman was escorted to hospital.
- 16:36 A robbery took place at a store in Biggar Street, Miramar. Vagrants managed to break the locks at the back of the building and stole food.
- 20:03 ATLAS Response Officers managed to catch and arrest two thieves who stole goods from a business in Biggar Street, Miramar.
- 20:16 An burglary took place at a residence in Fourth Avenue, Walmer. No entry was gained, but the suspects managed to pull an X-Box console through a broken window.
- 22:05 A case of trespassing was reported at a museum in Murrey Street, Graaff-Reinet. The security guard on site reported that he noticed suspects on the premises, but they managed to get away.
- 23:30 A business owner reported that one of their employees had stolen food from their business in Marine Drive, Summerstrand. The food was found in a taxi that was awaiting staff.
- 23:59 An attempted burglary was reported at a premises in Sutton Road, Sidwell. One of the windows had been broken, but no entry was gained and no loss was reported.
THURSDAY 26 MAY 2011:
- 03:14 A business in Heugh Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects gained entry by smashing the restroom window. Power tools were reported stolen.
- 07:39 A business owner in Victoria Drive, Schoenmakerskop reported a burglary. The suspects gained entry into the roof by lifting and removing part of the roof sheeting. Nothing was reported stolen.
- 08:25 Thieves gained entry into a residence in Avondale Road, Kabega Park by forcing open a window and removing the burglar bars. Their loot included clothing, a DVD player, a complete PC, blankets and other goods.
- 11:09 A resident of Aylesbury Road, Greenshields Park reported a burglary. The back left hand side bedroom window was smashed and the burglar bars were kicked in. Nothing was reported stolen.
- 15:28 A Thrush Road, Greenshields Park homeowner reported that her elderly father had been alone at home when two men came to the door and asked if they could check the wiring in the house. When the daughter arrived home, the men made off in a two-toned Colt bakkie with a business name written on the side. The resident could not find this business name listed in the directory.
- 16:05 An ATLAS Response Officer arrested a member of the public at a business in Salvia Crescent, Linton Grange. The suspect had entered the shop and was armed with a knife. The business owner requested that the man should be released, but he then returned later. The Police escorted him off the premises.
- 19:02 A robbery was reported at a residence in Agulhas Place, Miramar. The spare bedroom window had been kicked in and the burglar bars were forced open. Entry was gained and the thieves made off with a gold necklace, a USB flash drive and a key for the back door.
WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2011:
- 04:13 A business owner reported that a member of the public had run into his business in Rose Street, Central reporting that he was being chased by armed suspects in a yellow Ford Escort. The Police managed to arrest two of the suspects.
- 04:47 A homeowner reported an attempted burglary in Seventh Avenue, Summerstrand. Force marks were found on one of the windows and there were fresh footprints on the grass. No entry was gained and no loss was reported.
- 07:30 An Eighth Avenue, Walmer resident reported that her 58-year-old domestic worker was having trouble breathing. When ATLAS Armed Response Officers arrived, they could not detect a pulse and performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. The domestic worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
- 08:59 A robbery was reported at a business in Haupt Street, Sidwell. The business owner reported that he caught a suspect who had stolen goods from the store and was trying to resell them across the road. The Police followed up on the incident.
- 09:03 ATLAS Response Officers received information from the Police that an armed robbery had taken place at a business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, Central. Two armed suspects entered the premises, assaulted the owner and locked him in a storeroom. The suspects fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
- 10:30 Thieves stole a laptop and a briefcase from a residence in Dickens Street, Central. There were no signs of forced entry.
- 10:36 ATLAS Response Officers received information from the Police that there had been a robbery at a residence in Hallack Road, Central. Two suspects forced their way inside the house, tied up the domestic worker and then fled with a firearm and small items.
- 11:48 An attempted burglary was reported at a residence in Conyngham Road, Parsons Hill. One window had been broken, but it could not be determined whether entry was gained. Nothing was reported stolen.
- 13:24 A resident reported an attempted burglary in Harvey Street, Summerstrand. Two windows were forced open and entry was gained. No items were reported missing.
- 14:59 Thieves stole jewellery from a residence in Benmore Avenue, Brymore. The suspects gained entry into the house by breaking the bathroom window.
- 15:36 ATLAS Response Officers received information from the Police that there had been a robbery at a residence in Flormay Road, Framesby. The suspect entered the residence and was fiddling with the safe. The domestic worker was inside the house, but was not harmed. It could not be determined if anything was stolen.
- 17:15 An attempted burglary was reported at residence in Old Seaview Road, Chelsea. Force marks were found on the entrance door, but no entry was gained and no loss was reported.
- 23:14 business at the harbour in Central was burgled. A security guard reported that two suspects cut part of the back palisade fencing and entered the yard. ATLAS Response Officers managed to catch and arrest both suspects. The Police followed up on the incident and managed to recover the metal stolen by the thieves.
Alan Straton
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