Two more Bonnie Doon homes hit by burglars
THE SPATE of well-organised Bonnie Doon burglaries continued this weekend with two households convinced they were hit by a syndicate which observed them leaving their homes before plundering them.
One of the two robberies took place in Lower Ridge Road, bringing the total number of burglaries in the road – which starts at Norwood Avenue – to four since January 27.
Burglar bars in both homes were yanked off by the burglars, who showed a fine taste in jewellery and perfumes, sorting through the contents of dressing tables and leaving cheaper versions behind.
Police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said police were investigating the two burglaries but did not believe a syndicate was operating.
However, security companies have warned of a highly organised crime syndicate with sophisticated knowledge of neutralising alarm systems.
Gertie and Ken Griffith, both 81, said thieves ransacked their bedroom in search of valuables and made off with gold jewellery while they were out between 10am and 11.30am on Sunday.
Yesterday the couple showed the Daily Dispatch how robbers had ripped out window louvres from their bedroom window and lobbed them into the pool.
Frames holding clear burglar bars in place were smashed out before the intruders entered.
The thieves pulled off a wardrobe door, placed it in front of the sensor and cut alarm wires in the ceiling.
“We don’t know if the alarm went off because we were not connected to the armed response company,” said Gertie.
The intruders pulled the mattress off the bed and threw the contents of the wardrobes into unruly piles on the floor, but the flat screen TV and an iPad in the lounge were left untouched.
“I think our arrival may have interrupted them and they ran away to a waiting car. We feel violated. We never go out on a Sunday so they were obviously watching us,” said Gertie.
“The police asked us if we thought this was the work of a syndicate and we said yes.
“Neighbours on either side were burgled and now us.”
In nearby Sinclair Road, mother and daughter Cherilyn and Kyla Wakeford lost jewellery, digital goods and cash when thieves broke into the house and granny flat on Saturday morning.
In the main house, thieves broke in through the bathroom window, punched a hole in the ceiling, crawled to a bedroom cupboard where the alarm control panel was installed, disconnected the battery and pulled off the AC (alternating current) wire before exiting the ceiling via the trapdoor.
Captain Mzuko said three suspects were arrested at the weekend in Cambridge for burglaries in that suburb and were being “profiled” to ascertain any links to other crimes. —