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Namibia: Robbers Escape Empty Handed
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New Era (Windhoek)
25 July 2008
Posted to the web 25 July 2008
Charles Tjatindi
Walvis Bay
The good working relationship between the police and security companies at the coast continue to produce the desired results in the maintenance of law and order. This manifested itself earlier this week when members of a security company and the police foiled an attempted robbery.
According to police reports, four alleged thieves gained entry into a prominent business here through cutting open its roof. Once inside, they disconnected the alarm system, before proceeding to a safe where they attempted to cut it open using a gas torch.
Members of the G4 Security Company who are responsible for the company's alarm system were alerted following the alarm's sudden disconnection and immediately launched an investigation. They became suspicious when they arrived on the premises of the break-in and enlisted the assistance of the police.
The criminals, who were busy cutting open the safe using the gas flame, however managed to flee leaving their tools behind. They also left the loot behind, and nothing was taken from the safe.
The Erongo Police Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner Festus Shilongo, confirmed the incident to New Era, adding that the police have since confiscated two gas cylinders and a torch. Shilongo said the police suspect the break-in was part of a larger network of similar break-ins that have been reported in the region of late.
Similar break-ins have been reported at the NamPost offices and a cellular technology retailer - Supertronix.
As in the latest incident, criminals would enter the building through the roof, using the gas cylinders and torch to guide them to the company safe. Once there, they would use the same tool to cut the safe open and help themselves to the loot inside.
"We know that this is part of a larger network. We will not stop here. We will find them and make an example of them to others. At least now that we have their tools of the trade, it might not be easy for them to strike again. But we will be ready for them when they come next time," said Shilongo.
New Era learnt that the gas cylinders used in the break-in were filled at Walvis Bay the previous day, probably for the purpose of robbery because they appear not to have been used prior to the break-in.
The fact that criminals appeared to know their way around the building after breaking in, especially the location of the safe, raised suspicions that they got help from those employed at the company.
Shilongo called on business owners to sensitise their employees on issues relating to confidentiality, in order to avoid such incidents.
"People should be taught how to deal with information. They should be told what type of information can be shared with outside people. Once that is done, criminals would find it difficult to obtain such confidential information like where the money of the business is kept," noted Shilongo.
The deputy commissioner appealed to businesses to bank their money on time, and not to allow it to pile up in the safe. He also expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered by security companies in the region.
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"If such a relationship remains in place for a long time, we surely can achieve our aim of making Erongo safe. Criminals, be warned. We are not here for fun. There is just no way you will come away with criminal activities. We will catch you, and when we do - better start saying your prayers, because you will go away for a long time," Shilongo said.
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| Copyright © 2008 New Era. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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