Theft at Toti complexes on the rise
The Amanzimtoti area has seen an influx of housebreakings and copper theft.
RECENT crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year show a decrease in robberies and burglaries at residential premises, but Amanzimtoti has seen a marked increase in crimes committed at housing complexes.
Also read: Amanzimtoti police encourage residents to report property-related crimes
Since the beginning of February, the Community Crime Prevention Organisation Amanzimtoti (CCPO) recorded several crimes at complexes, including burglaries and copper-pipe stealing. On February 17, a housebreaking was found to have occurred at a complex in Bhengu Road, Amanzimtoti. The CCPO’s George Snodey said the suspects broke into one of the units through the roof.
“The break-in was discovered on that day, but the exact date and time is not known as the owner was away,” he said.
On February 12, a break-in occurred in the early hours at a complex in Ndongeni Drive, Amanzimtoti. Snodey said the suspect/s gained access to an upper-level flat and stole cash and jewellery. In another incident on February 8, a housebreaking occurred at a complex in Riverside Road, Amanzimtoti. Snodey said when the family arrived home, they found their upstairs bedrooms ransacked.
“A Playstation, a Samsung computer, an Oppo cellphone and a Hisense TV were stolen. The suspects broke the bars off the top windows and gained entry,” said Snodey.
In another incident, which occurred on February 11, two men were apprehended on Valley Road in Amanzimtoti after they ran and hid from Amanzimtoti Central Community Police Forum’s patrollers. Snodey said that after the CCPO was contacted, a search was conducted and the two were found hiding in a tree. A large hunting knife, tools and gloves were found in their possession.
“They were checked, and it was established that one of them was wanted as a suspect in a robbery where a cellphone was taken. That man was handed over to the Amanzimtoti police,” he said.
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