The good relationship between Sandringham police, Blockwatch and local security companies continue to yield success in fighting crime in Lombardy East.
This after three intruders entered a property while a young woman was home alone on 11 April in a house on Goethe Street.
According to Darren Girling of Blockwatch, while the young woman was watching TV, she noticed three people entering her property through the main gate after lifting it off the rail and sliding it manually to gain access.
“She then ran to her room and barricaded herself in and called local security company, CAP, to assist. They responded within minutes and noticed a suspicious blue/green Fiat Palio driving slowly with a single occupant, as well as a man walking near the vehicle,” he said.
However, Girling said when the two men were approached, they professed to be assisting with rubbish bin collections. CAP continued to the property and noticed a third man attempting to exit the main gate.
Meanwhile, a fourth man pretended to be the gardener but, by this time, the police had arrived and began to interrogate him.
“His story did not add up so they detained him; upon investigating the property, it was noticed that the back door security gate lock had been forced open to get into the house. The only item they made away with was the television,” explained Girling. ”The young woman was safe with no contact and was unharmed.”
Blockwatch Community Policing Forum of Lombardy East and ZSS Securities also arrived at the scene within minutes and assisted in questioning the suspect.
Girling said the man admitted to being involved with the two men in the Fiat Palio which was later traced to being registered to the original owner in Randburg.
Sandringham police confirmed that an arrest was made and the incident is under investigation.
Girling praised the excellent work done by the Sandringham police, ZSS, CAP and Blockwatch and urged residents to be more wary of people pretending to be something they are not when they offer services when, in fact, they are scouting and gathering information.
“It is recommended to have your main gate assessed by a reputable professional security company to ensure it is not… [easily] lifted and put on manual to gain access to your property,” concluded Girling.
