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Pond Life Scum Contaminating Richmond Hill Area

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

  1. Suspects frightened off by homeowner in botched attempted burglary
  2. Engineering firm falls victim to post-New Year armed robbery
  3. Elderly woman found unconscious in her home
  4. Korsten liquor store robbed at gunpoint
  5. Reader Contributions – Pond Life Scum Contaminating Richmond Hill Area
  6. Crime Snapshots

Suspects frightened off by homeowner in botched attempted burglary

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, just before 02h30, a homeowner in McWilliams Road, Summerstrand was shocked to hear the sound of glass breaking at the back of his house. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, he immediately requested an Armed Response vehicle and went to investigate.

Response Officers were dispatched and arrived on site within minutes to assist. The homeowner confirmed that he spotted two suspects who had broken a window at the back of the house in an attempt to enter the premises. The two brazen criminals saw the client and fled the scene.

The Police were notified and a case of attempted burglary has been opened.

Engineering firm falls victim to post-New Year armed robbery

Shortly before 14h00 on Tuesday afternoon, ATLAS Armed Response Officers were dispatched to a panic alarm activation from an engineering firm in Sidon Street, North End.

On arrival, it was found that two armed suspects had followed the owner from the bank, where he had drawn over R20 000 to pay his staff’s wages. They followed him inside, held the owner at gunpoint and then demanded that he hand over the money. Not wanting to endanger anyone’s life, the business owner handed over the cash and the robbers fled the scene in a grey or silver Polo. No one could take down the registration of the vehicle, as the number plate had been covered. One shot was fired, but fortunately there were no injuries.

A case of armed robbery was opened with the Police and is being investigated.

Elderly woman found unconscious in her home

An elderly woman was found lying unconscious in her Zenios Place, Summerstrand home at 18h19 on Monday evening.

A concerned neighbour contacted ATLAS and asked the Response Officers to check on their neighbour because they had not seen her for a few days.

The Officers arrived at the house, but their efforts at knocking and calling remained unanswered. All the doors were locked and the keys were in the door, confirming that the woman had to be inside the house. They managed to find a way in and discovered the owner unconscious on the floor in the lounge with her dogs next to her.

They immediately contacted an ambulance and began giving her medical attention. It appeared that the woman had suffered a heart attack and had collapsed to the floor.

She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Note from ATLAS: Neighbours

  1. Your neighbours are an invaluable security resource. If possible, make an arrangement with them for you to keep an eye on each other’s homes, either formally through a neighbourhood watch program or informally.
  2. The assistance you could provide each other might include calling emergency services such as an ambulance, the Police or your armed response company. Make sure that they have these numbers.
  3. You could ask that they simply be alert to anything suspicious, particularly when either of you are away at work or on holiday. Criminals are deterred if they know that the neighbourhood is on the lookout.
  4. When you go away, arrange with a friend or neighbour to leave your curtains in the usual open or closed positions and mow your lawn for you.
  5. Leave a telephone number and a contact address with neighbours or any other reliable person so that you can be contacted in an emergency.

Korsten liquor store robbed at gunpoint

Bottles of alcohol were stolen from a Durban Road, Korsten business on Sunday in the early afternoon.

A suspicious blue vehicle was parked outside the business and eventually the occupants entered the store. The criminals hauled out a gun and held the staff at gunpoint. They quickly grabbed a few bottles of liquor and jumped into their getaway vehicle that was waiting for them outside.

No shots were fired and the Police are investigating a case of armed robbery.

Reader Contributions – Pond Life Scum Contaminating Richmond Hill Area

  1. Bogus Roofing Repairs: Peter writes; “I live in Summerstrand and I also received a phone call a few weeks ago from a man asking to speak to someone else. I informed him that he had the wrong number. He then asked if I had made any enquiries about roof repairs. I said that we had our roof repaired a few weeks earlier. He wanted to know if they could phone me again in February to see if we need any work done. I said it was fine, they can contact me then. Thank you for this information, when he calls I will try and get the number.”
  2. Stolen Cheque Books: Marintia writes; “Dear Sir/Madam. Please warn your clients regarding stolen cheque books that are being used in the Eastern Cape, especially in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and King Williams Town. The cheques are from: The Barn At Riverside and Teal Design. The thieves pay the money into the company’s account using these cheques and send proof of payment to them. They collect the goods and by the time the company gets their bank statement and sees that it was a stolen cheque, it is too late. They have written out cheques to the value of R1.5 million already. If anyone receives any of these cheques, they can call us on:041 379 1291 or cell:072 229 3056 to confirm. We would very much like to catch them in the act when they collect.”
  3. Beware of the latest scam: The Chairperson of the Richmond Hill Crime Forum writes; “Just an extract from an email I received this morning that sounds interesting. Be on the alert for Theo or any other clown doing the same tricks. We have come across some pond life that is operating here and in Joburg he uses Gumtree to get to people. What he does is advertise or answers properties to rent. He comes up with stories that he operates a big catering tender company and gets paid large sums and wants to take anything for a year but needs to move in straight away and pay in cash which he will hand over in a day or so once he has got in somewhere… Needless to say the excuses if he manages it come thick and fast with him saying he is a christian man of the bible and is honourable and will come up with the goods…!!! We have cornered him by email and have his last phone and a current number for him. and are getting some pretty interesting calls. He is in the area and he likes Richmond Hill so if you can spread the word his name is Theo van der Westhuizen.”

Crime Snapshots

WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 2011:

  • 01:15 A business in Cedar Road, Willowdene was burgled. The suspects broke a window and gained entry.
  • 01:24 While patrolling, the Response Officers noticed that the roof of a business in Cape Road, Linton Grange was damaged.
  • 02:33 A business in Sixth Avenue, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced the back door and gained entry.

TUESDAY 11 JANUARY 2011:

  • 07:43 A residence in Gomery Avenue, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects gained entry via the sliding door. A plasma screen TV and a laptop were stolen.
  • 11:00 A premises in Gipson Street, Mount Croix was on fire. The Response Officers checked and found that the bushes and a tree were burning. They extinguished the blaze.
  • 12:07 A thief stole underwear from a shop in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End. The suspect fled with the stolen goods.
  • 13:21 A residence in Old Cape Road, Greenbushes was burgled. The suspects bent the burglar bars of the storeroom and stole scrap metal.
  • 22:09 A business in Albert Road, Walmer had an attempted burglary. The security guard reported that he found a suspect fiddling with the front gate. He caught the suspect and tied him up. The owner requested that the suspect be released.

MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2011:

  • 01:07 Thieves tried to steal a vehicle in Greenock Street, Rowallan Park. They fled when the Response Officers arrived.
  • 01:17 A business in Reith Street, Sidwell was burgled. The suspects smashed the window and bent the burglar bars. They made off with a computer.
  • 01:25 Vandals smashed a vehicle’s windows in Nursery Close, Taybank.
  • 02:35 An armed robbery took place at a premises in North End. The suspects made off with a variety of firearms and ammunition.
  • 02:41 A residence in Dundalk Road, Humewood was burgled. The suspect entered through the bathroom window and stole a cell phone.
  • 08:04 A business in Bird Street, Central was burgled. The suspects broke a window and gained entry.
  • 08:11 A business in Guiletti Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open the door and gained entry. A computer tower and monitor were stolen.
  • 10:55 Thieves broke into a vehicle in Linton Road, Mill Park and stole the radio and speakers.
  • 11:01 A residence in Sixth Avenue, Walmer was burgled. The Police were contacted and a suspect was arrested with the stolen goods.
  • 15:11 Thieves broke into a vehicle parked in Erasmus Drive, Summerstrand.
  • 15:15 A homeowner in Hilltop Drive, Lovemore Park requested the Response Officers to be on the lookout for her 80-year-old father who went missing. The elderly man arrived safely at home at 18h22.
  • 17:58 A residence in Gomery Avenue, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects broke through the sliding door and gained entry. A TV and other items were stolen.
  • 18:19 The Response Officers attended to a medical emergency at a residence in Verdi Road, Walmer Heights. The neighbour contacted ATLAS reporting that he had not seen his elderly neighbour for a few days and no one was answering the door. The Officers found the owner unconscious on the floor and an ambulance transported her to hospital.
  • 20:56 A suspect was caught shoplifting at a business in Rink Street, Central.
  • 21:38 A residence in Zenios Place, Summerstrand had an attempted burglary. The suspect broke a window and fled when the domestic worker pressed the panic button.
  • 21:49 A business in Grahamstown Road, Deal Party had an attempted burglary. The security guard reported that thieves were trying to steal diesel from the premises.

SUNDAY 09 JANUARY 2011:

  • 00:46 A homeowner was assaulted in First Avenue, Linkside. The owner heard someone fiddling with the gate and investigated. He chased the suspects and found one of them in the bush nearby. The suspect attacked the owner and fled.
  • 03:27 A business in Chevrolet Street, Markman had an attempted burglary. The security guard reported that there were suspects in the yard. They made a hole in the fence and tried to steal piping.
  • 06:11 A business in Humphries Street, North End was burgled. The suspects cut the locks off the front door and forced it open. They made off with a computer tower, an LCD monitor and other computer equipment.
  • 08:58 A business in Commercial Road, Sidwell was burgled. The suspects broke into the storeroom.
  • 13:20 An armed robbery took place at a business in Durban Road, Korsten. The suspects were armed with a gun and took a few bottles of alcohol. No shots were fired and they fled with their loot.
  • 13:25 A business in Cape Road, Kabega Park was burgled. The suspects broke a window and gained entry into the storeroom.
  • 18:52 A business in Destades Road, Bushbuck Ridge had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the back security gate and the door. No entry was gained.
  • 20:51 A business in Victoria Drive, Walmer was burgled. The security guard reported that the criminals removed four slabs from the perimeter wall.
  • 23:13 A business in Heugh Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects broke a window. A chair had been removed from the yard.

SATURDAY 08 JANUARY 2011:

  • 01:38 A business in Destades Road, Bushbuck Ridge was burgled. The suspects forced open the security gate and kicked in the kitchen door.
  • 04:10 A residence in Kragga Kamma Road, Theescombe was burgled. The suspects forced open the door and gained entry.
  • 06:47 A business in Villiers Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects broke the reception windows and forced open the burglar bars.
  • 09:57 A business in Robson Street, Central was burgled. The suspects lifted the roof sheeting to gain entry. They made off with alcohol and the cash register.
  • 14:55 A residence in Glendore Road, Pari Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects tried to force open the burglar bars of the front window but fled when they saw the owner.
  • 17:25 The Response Officers attended to a medical emergency at a business in Second Avenue, Walmer. One of the employees had cut his finger. He was taken to hospital for stitches.
  • 19:58 The Response Officers arrested a suspect who threw a brick through the window of a business in Bain Street, Central.

FRIDAY 07 JANUARY 2011:

  • 04:44 Thieves broke into a vehicle in Salix Lane, Schoenmakerskop. They stole two cell phones and a radio.
  • 05:42 A member of the public was robbed by two suspects in Kempston Road, Sidwell. The victim only had a R10 note in his possession.
  • 08:08 A criminal tried to enter a house in Villiers Road, Walmer through the unlocked back door while the owner was sleeping. The Response Officers arrived and arrested the suspect.
  • 08:33 A business in Paterson Road, North End was burgled. The suspects forced open two wooden doors and gained entry. They stole a computer tower, a laptop and an LCD TV.
  • 11:07 The Response Officers attended to a medical emergency in Colin Street, Morningside. A 62-year-old man had trouble walking and had heart problems.
  • 12:19 A vehicle was on fire in front of a business in Second Avenue, Walmer.
  • 19:20 An 18-year-old boy was assaulted in Eighth Avenue, Mount Pleasant. The ambulance arrived and took the boy to hospital.
  • 20:16 A bush was on fire in Brakkefontein, Rocklands.

THURSDAY 06 JANUARY 2011:

  • 01:33 A business in Humewood Road, Humerail was burgled. The suspects broke a window and tried to force open a door. No entry was gained.
  • 02:57 A homeowner in Hockley Street, Miramar reported that his neighbour’s house had been burgled. The suspects threw a brick through the window and entered the garage. They stole a drill and other equipment.
  • 03:43 A residence in Idlewylde Crescent, Walmer Heights had an attempted burglary. The owner reported that a young suspect was banging on the window. No entry was gained.
  • 04:28 A business in Worraker Street, Newton Park was burgled. The suspects smashed a window and gained entry.
  • 04:31 A residence in Beethoven Street, Walmer Heights had an attempted burglary. The suspects threw a brick through the window but no entry was gained.
  • 07:16 Two suspects assaulted an employee at a business in Worraker Street, Newton Park. They tried to rob him of his cell phone. The Police attended to the incident.
  • 07:47 A business in Worraker Street, Newton Park was vandalised. The criminals threw a brick through the window.

WEDNESDAY 05 JANUARY 2011:

  • 00:08 Suspects attempted to break into a home in Happy Valley Drive, Humewood by forcing open a window and the burglar bars. No entry was gained.
  • 07:58 Thieves broke into a vehicle in Bognor Street, Summerstrand. They managed to get away with the radio.
  • 09:04 While on patrol in Mill Park Road, the ATLAS Mill Park DPS Officer noticed a bakkie at a resident’s house with a smashed window. The homeowner, who was on holiday, confirmed that he would get their neighbour to check and sort it out for them. It is unclear at this stage if anything had been stolen.
  • 10:25 A premises in Cedarberg Road, Booysens Park was burgled. The suspects gained access by breaking down a door in the computer area. Computer monitors, a tower and a projector were stolen.
  • 10:48 A woman was arrested at a business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End for trying to cash a fraudulent cheque.
  • 12:12 A burglar tried to gain access to a house in Godlonton Avenue, Miramar by trying to force open the front door and a few windows. No entry was gained.
  • 18:11 Suspects attempted to gain access to a business in Main Road, Despatch by breaking a padlock to a gate on site. No access was gained and the business suffered no loss.
  • @19:09 A business in Villiers Road, Walmer was broken into. It seems that the suspect managed to open one of the windows and open the door from the inside. Laptops and flat screen monitors were taken.

Contact Atlas Security.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.