Port Elizabeth: MyPE - Three Arrested for Dagga Smuggling

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

THREE MEN, including a truck driver for a freight company, were arrested on Tuesday evening after being caught with four 50kg-bags full of dagga in Grahamstown Road, Deal Party.

A security guard on duty noticed a suspicious vehicle waiting outside the premises and noticed that when the truck arrived it flashed its lights at the vehicle. The vehicle, a white Opel Kadett, then followed the truck into the yard and two men proceeded to load bags from the truck to the car.

The guard closed the gate behind the vehicle, trapping them inside, and contacted Atlas. Two armed response officers arrived at the scene and upon searching the vehicle found that the bags contained dagga and detained the two suspects.

The truck, which had already left the premises on route for Uitenhage, was also tracked and the driver detained. All three suspects were handed over to the police and arrested for possession of narcotics.

Knife Wielding Man Busy Again in Parliament Street

IN LAST week's crime newsletter we reported an incident where a man was allegedly threatening people with a knife in Parliament Street, but fled when he saw the armed response vehicle arriving. They gave chase and caught him, handing him over to the police.

On Monday evening a call was once again placed to Atlas about a knife wielding man threatening people in Parliament Street. When the armed response officers arrived on the scene, the man had already fled. It is not clear whether these two incidents are related, or whether it is the same person was involved.

If you are approached by a potential attacker, the first thing you should do is try to get away. Be aware of your surroundings, and keep a safe distance from anyone who looks like a potential threat. If you end up cornered with no way out, do the following:

Speak calmly to the assailant. If they want money, give it to them. Make it clear that you are not looking for a fight.
If someone starts swinging the blade at you, try to block it with an inanimate object, such as a chair or book.
If you cannot block the attack with an object, turn sideways to avoid the blade.
Call for help
Move your arm in a circular motion to try to grab the attacker's wrist.
Try to slam the attacker's hand against a wall, heavy object, or your knee.
Attempt to push the attacker away from you.
Run away as soon as you are able.

Man Brutally Attacked in Theescombe

A MAN in Pickwick Street, Theescombe was brutally attacked last week Friday evening by a group of at least four men, including an ex employee of his.

Apparently the man was in the kitchen, preparing supper when the ex employee entered the house and started talking to him. Then his ex employee allegedly hit him in the head with a rock, causing him to black out. He awoke later on the grass outside his house, bleeding profusely. The men had brutally beaten him, severing part of his left ear off.

He was later transported to Livingstone hospital and the police are investigating.

Boy Mugged on Way Home From School

A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY was mugged in Kabega Street in Vikingvale while walking home from school last Friday afternoon. Apparently two men knocked him off his feet then grabbed his takkies. The boy managed to get back to his feet and ran away. Police have opened a case of robbery.

Note from Atlas:
Your options are extremely limited if you suddenly need to ward off an attacker. Restrictive laws for the carrying of fire arms and storage thereof are complicated and limiting. Pepper spray remains the most effective means of warding off an attacker from a distance. Facts show that 70% of people who are attacked have keys in their hands. Pepper spray can be attached to your car/house keys enabling defence from human and animal attacks. It is a legal way of guaranteed protection for you and your family. Simply point the unit at the attacker's head and depress the actuator button. A heavy stream of powerful protection will discharge from the actuator to a range up to 10 feet (varies with wind condition). A short blast of pepper spray will totally incapacitate one or more attackers for up to 30 minutes. One shot to the face causes instant panic and extreme discomfort. To stop firing, release thumb pressure. It is a practical and positive means of protection. Pepper spray contains a natural dyeing agent which will visibly mark an attacker for positive identification. Various sizes of pepperspray, the same one used by Atlas, are for sale at Atlas Security.

Mill Park Home Owner Choked During Robberty

A MAN living in Waverly Drive, Mill Park was choked last week Friday when two youngsters casually walked into his house through a half open sliding door.

Apparently the robbers came into the house, and the one immediately attacked the man, grabbing him around the neck, while the other indicated for the man's wife to be quiet. They then took the man's wallet, a DVD player and a cellphone, before leaving.

The police have opened a case of house robbery.

Burglars Smash Hole in Wall

A BUSINESS operating in Govan Mbeki Street was burgled last week Wednesday when the criminals broke through a double wall. The suspects apparently made a hole in the outer wall at the back of the building, but battled to get through the inner wall due to a steel bar in the wall that blocked their access.

They did however manage to remove about ten bricks from the inner wall, and stole an unknown amount of clothing from a rack that was within reaching distance of the hole. A case of burglary has been opened.

Your Cheap Lamb Shanks May Have Been Stolen

A BUSINESS in Old Seaview Road, Chelsea was burgled last week Wednesday, after an unknown number of suspects forced open the side door in the middle of the night. The thieves made off with a large amount of food, although 16 packs of alcohol, three bottles of champagne and a grocery bag full of food was later recovered. Still missing are 24 lamb shanks taken from one of the deep freezers.

A case of burglary has been opened.

Walmer Pyromaniac?

A COMPANY operating in Villiers Road, Walmer had a fire started outside their gate in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A pile of wood had been stacked up against the gate to the premises and set alight.

The fire department was contacted and the fire extinguished, but this is apparently the second time that a fire has been started on the premises.

Suspicious People in Mount Croix

A reader has warned that there has been a group of suspicious men walking around the area of Mount Croix over the past week, asking gardeners and domestic workers to give them water and trying to distract them, please take the necessary precautions.

Here are a few Atlas safety tips that you should share with your domestic workers:

When alone at home cleaning / working make sure that all the doors and windows are closed and locked.
DO NOT allow anyone onto the property before confirming with the home owner that they are expected for example electricians, metre readers, Telkom etc.
DO NOT go out to the gate when someone is pressing the intercom or calling, rather talk over the intercom or through a window from inside the house.
Be careful when putting out or fetching rubbish bins. Look around for any suspicious people and close the gate immediately.
Be careful when hanging up or bringing in washing, as suspects can jump over the wall and attack you. Be quick when you are outside and go back into the house LOCKING the door again.
DO NOT leave keys in the doors or security gates.
If there is a panic button, carry it at all times, preferably where it is not visible.
Make sure you always know an emergency number AND the address where you are, in case of a emergency.
DO NOT TRUST ANYONE and DO NOT give out any information about the property or your employers!

Crime Snapshot

WEDNESDAY 03 MARCH 2010:

03:04 A business in Libertas Road, Struandale was burgled. The suspects broke through the fence at the back and stole electrical equipment from the premises.
05:30 A fire was started in front of a premises in Villiers Road, Walmer. It seems like the suspects wanted to damage the gate. The fire department attended to the incident.
06:11 A business in Hunters Garden Shopping Centre was burgled. The suspects broke through the roof and gained entry.
06:36 A business in JohnstStreet, Sidwell was burgled. The suspects broke through the roof and stole electrical equipment.
07:52 A business in Cape Road, NewtPark was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and gained entry.
08:50 A business in Somerset Street, Richmond Hill had an attempted burglary. The suspects pushed open the double door and broke the hinges.
11:13 A business in Cape Road, Mill Park was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and gained entry.
15:26 A Church Road, Walmer resident committed suicide by hanging himself. This is not an Atlas client. This is not an Atlas client.
16:10 A business in Heugh Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects broke four windows.
18:18 A couple was fighting with their sat their residence in Papenkuil Street, LintGrange.
18:48 A residence in Aberdour Crescent, Humewood had an attempted burglary. The suspects tried to enter through the bathroom window by bending the burglar bars. No entry was gained.
22:07 A business in PatersRoad, North End had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the front door but the security gate was still intact. No entry was gained.
23:39 A business in Cape Road, Mill Park was burgled. The suspects broke through a magnetic door and gained entry. The response officers arrested him site.
23:40 A business in Old Seaview Road, Chelsea was burgled. The suspects broke the sliding door and the back door. The response officers recovered most of the stolen goods. Entry was gained.

THURSDAY 04 MARCH 2010:

04:29 A residence in Colindale Road, Beverley Grove was burgled. The suspect entered the premises and stole the client's handbag and cellphone.
08:58 Thieves broke into a vehicle at a business in Heugh Road, Walmer. They broke a window and grabbed a hand bag with valuables in it.
10:36 A business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End was burgled. The suspects broke through the wall by removing the bricks.
10:40 A residence in Cathcart Road, Humewood was burgled. The suspects forced open the sliding door and gained entry.
10:44 A residence in Huguenot Street, Kabega Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects bent the burglar bars but no entry was gained.
10:51 A residence in PatersStreet, Bridgemead was burgled. The suspects entered through the bedroom window.
13:47 A business in Villiers Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects broke through the roof by removing the roof sheeting and the ceiling.
18:14 A business in Prospect Road, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open a window and gained entry.
20:55 A suspect assaulted a client at a premises in William Street, Cotswold. The suspect entered the premises and assaulted the client and attempted to rape her.

FRIDAY 05 MARCH 2010:

00:02 A residence in Beethoven Street, Walmer Heights was burgled. The suspects entered through an open window.
02:22 Suspects vandalized the bathrooms at a business in 17th Avenue, Buffelsfontein.
03:17 A business in Reith Street, Sidwell was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and gained entry.
03:52 A business in Mangold Street, NewtPark was burgled. The suspects broke through the back window and gained entry.
04:12 A residence in Galpin Road, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects forced open the lounge window and gained entry.
09:53 A house robbery took place at a residence in Waverly Drive, Mill Park. Two suspects entered the premises through the security gate that was left half open. They choked the client and robbed him of his money and valuables. The suspects were not armed.
11:29 A residence in Westview Drive, Mill Park was burgled. The suspects forced open a window and kicked in the burglar bars. Entry was gained. The suspects stole a basin and copper piping.
14:20 Thieves robbed a schoolboy in Cornelia Avenue, Framesby. They bumped the boy and robbed him of his shoes.
17:36 A thief entered a store in Disa Avenue, Cotswold and took goods without paying for them. The man fled in a white Mercedes.
20:32 Four suspects attacked a client in Pickwick Road, Theesecombe. They hit the client the head with a rock and fled.
21:41 The response officers attended to a medical emergency at a residence in SolomStreet, Summerstrand. The client's sdrank pills and was under the influence of alcohol.
22:11 A residence in MissiRoad, Greenbushes had an attempted burglary. The suspects attempted to break in but no entry was gained. The SAPS arrested the two suspects for trespassing.
23:56 A premises in Victoria Drive, Walmer was burgled. The suspects removed a slab from the vibracrete and entered the yard. They then broke into the workshop and stole cables from the premises. The SAPS recovered the stolen cables.

SATURDAY 06 MARCH 2010:

00:56 A Brakkefontein, Rocklands client reported that two suspicious males were standing at his garage door. The client fired warning shots which gave chase to the suspects. No one was injured during this incident.
02:238 A residence in Karena Street, Kragga Kamma was burgled. The suspects forced open the back window and gained entry.
04:09 Thieves stole batteries from a premises in Grahamstown Road, Deal Party. The response officers arrested the suspect and recovered the stolen goods.
17:23 A suspect was arrested outside a business in Heugh Road, Walmer. The suspect wanted to attack a lady.
18:29 Thieves broke into a vehicle outside a premises in Church Road, Walmer.
20:32 Thieves stole the client's cellphone and wallet at a residence in Dana Road, Summerstrand. The client left his window open and the suspect put his hand through the window.
23:48 A premises in UniRoad, Walmer was burgled. The suspects forced open the back door and gained entry.

SUNDAY 07 MARCH 2010:

03:07 A business in Kendall Street, Neave Township had an attempted burglary. The suspects tried to force open the gate but no entry was gained.
09:08 A business in Scarborough Crescent, Summerstrand was burgled. The suspects broke through a window and gained entry. When the client arrived at home, he saw the suspect in the house. The client chased the suspect and caught him and the response officer arrested him.
13:09 An employee at a business in William Moffet Expressway, Mangold Park was arrested at the business for theft. The response officer found the man site, in possessiof the stolen goods.
14:01 The response officer attended to a medical emergency at a residence in Gommery Road, Summerstrand. The client's father was ill and he requested an ambulance. The clients father passed away at the house.
23:31 A residence in van der Stel Street, Kabega Park had an attempted burglary. The suspects broke through the garage door and gained entry.

MONDAY 08 MARCH 2010:

03:19 A business in Castle Hill Drive, Central was burgled. The suspects forced open the window pane the 2nd floor and gained entry. They stole computers and the response officers retrieved some of the stolen goods.
05:16 A business in Ivy Terrace, Central was burgled. The suspects broke through the front window and gained entry.
11:15 A house robbery took place at a premises in High Street, Mount Pleasant. The response officers confirmed that two suspects entered the premises. The female client was alone at home and she was not sure what they stole. The suspects fled into the bush and no one was injured during this incident.
13:45 An armed robbery took place outside a business in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End. Two suspects, armed with firearms, approached the client's vehicle and gun pointed them. The suspects took the vehicle keys and a R60 000 cash that was in a bag. The suspects fled foot. No one was injured during this incident.
18:16 An African male attempted to assault a client at a business in Parliament Street, Central. He threatened the client with a knife.
22:21 The response officers attended to a medical emergency at a residence in RichardsRoad, Summerstrand. The client's wife collapsed in the bathroom. The ambulance also arrived to assist.

TUESDAY 09 MARCH 2010:

01:45 Two suspects were trespassing at a residence in Heugh Road, Walmer. They wanted to jump over the client's wall and were arrested by the response officers.
02:56 Thieves stole copper piping from a residence in Peter Graham Avenue, NewtPark.
03:10 A business in de Wet Street, Sidwell had an attempted burglary. The suspects forced open the front window but no entry was gained.

Contact Atlas Security.