Crime warning for businesses

BLUE Security has urged business owners on the Berea to be vigilant and ensure their alarms are properly armed at night following a spate of business burglaries recently.

Blue Security managing director Darryn le Grange said burglars had forced open the window and burglar bars of a business in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road at 8am last Tuesday. They fled the scene with 18 computers and two laptops.

“Burglars struck another business premises in the same road at 6am the following day after they managed to force open the door of the property. Computers and a television were reported stolen,” Le Grange said.

Le Grange said a third business-housebreaking incident was reported in Esther Roberts Road at around 8am on the same day. Burglars forced open a window and fled with a Hi-Fi.

However, Le Grange said there had also been several arrests in the area over the past week.
“One of our reaction officers arrested a suspect in Brand Road after he tried to steal an air-conditioning unit from a nearby property. He was handed over to the Umbilo SAPS. In a separate incident in King Dinuzulu (Berea) Road, residents arrested a trespasser who was handed over to the police,” le Grange said.

Housebreakers also targeted several businesses and residences in Morningside in Matthews Meyiwa (Stamford Hill) Road, Rosetta Road, Waller Crescent, Montpelier Road, Stephen Dlamini (Essenwood) Road and East Street in Overport.

“Housebreakers gained entry by forcing open windows, doors and gates and fled with computers, a television, laptops, cellphones, electronic tablets and a geyser. Housebreakers broke into a business premises in Clarence Road through the roof and damaged the alarm system. Metro police officers arrested two alleged housebreakers who were caught at the scene,” Le Grange said.

He said car thieves had also been active in Morningside where they stole a white Toyota bakkie that was parked on a property in Seventh Avenue. Thieves also attempted to steal a car parked in the street in Speedwell Road.
Unfortunately, while the thieves were not able to steal the car they managed to flee with a wallet and cash that had been left lying in the car.

“We urge business owners and residents to be vigilant and to make sure that their alarm systems are armed at night and when there is no-one on the property. Never leave valuables such as documents, cash or cell phones in the car, even if these items are out of sight and the car is parked behind locked gates,” he warned.