After a series of recent crimes, everyone is urged to be more vigilant this festive season.
* Last Saturday, a home was burgled in Norman Avenue, Umtentweni. The burglar guards were forced open and a cellphone, jewellery, wallet and other items were stolen.
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According to Basil Lanka of Lazer 911 Security, reaction officers Tiaan Vermeulen and Robbie Pypers were dispatched to the house. “Officers Vermeulen and Pypers were able to track the phone to the Port Shepstone taxi rank, where they spotted the suspect. When they searched him, they found the stolen items and handed him over to the police.”
Police spokesman, Captain Petros Mpinge said the 26-year-old man would appear in court soon.
* Last Thursday, a 64-year-old woman using an ATM at a shopping centre in Port Shepstone was distracted by a man who pretended to help her. Captain Mpinge said the man took her card out of the machine and her R5 000 cash, jumped into a blue hatchback and drove off.
“The K9 Unit from Umkomaas arrested three suspects in Umkomaas. They were found in possession of bank cards and cash,” said Captain Mpinge. This was a joint effort by Lazer 911 Security, police, law enforcement and other security companies.
“The woman was able to provide the details of the getaway car. A check on the registration plates showed them to be false,” said Mr Lanka. All three were charged with fraud and theft and appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Monday this week. The case was postponed to November 26 for bail application. They will remain in custody.
* Also on Thursday, a man (28) was arrested in Umzumbe for housebreaking and theft, as well as for being in the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Southport police and the K9 Unit, together with a security company, were involved in the arrest.
“Personal property, including bags, clothes, three handguns and a shotgun were stolen from the home in Ridge View, Umzumbe. The resident (51) returned from work on Thursday evening to find her house had been looted. The intruder had apparently forced the door open using a sharp implement,” said police spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane.
Police and security guards found the suspect hiding in the bush with the stolen property. He was arrested and appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Monday this week.
* Lastly, a woman has warned shoppers to be extra careful when shopping. She was recently approached in a grocery store by a man who stopped next to her and asked her to pass him a box of cereal. When he moved off, she discovered her wallet had been taken from her handbag.
The Port Shepstone resident believes there was more than one person involved in the theft, and warned everyone to be careful of these syndicates, especially during the festive period.
Police have issued a warning to the public not to carry large sums of cash this festive season, and offered these tips for those belonging to cash savings clubs:
* Refrain from making cash deposits of contributions on high risk days.
* Ensure those depositing contributions or making withdrawals are accompanied by at least one other club member.
* A stokvel, savings club or burial society can arrange for members to deposit cash directly into the club’s account instead of collecting cash contributions.
* Refrain from announcing the date when the stokvel will be paid out to those who do not need to know.
* Arrange for the club’s pay-out to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account instead of carrying large sums of cash or keeping the cash at home.
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