Hooker scam targets B&Bs
Syndicate on the run after arrest of suspect
This means that all incidents where guesthouses were targeted could have been linked to this group BRIGADIER RONALD KOLL
MEN hiring a prostitute have been lured into becoming unwitting accomplices in the looting of a string of guesthouses by a crime syndicate which cleans out establishments after the “masseuse” appointments.
The gang believed to be behind at least 11 of the well-orchestrated crimes at Port Elizabeth bed-andbreakfast establishments and other accommodation places are on the run following the arrest of a suspect in the wake of a six-month police investigation.
The mode of operation involves a woman checking into a guesthouse with a client – under his name – and, once the encounter is over and the client has left, allowing access to the gang, which cleans the establishment out of TVs, fridges and even beds.
Some times the client is robbed after leaving the premises.
Detectives say the gang preys on men who hire prostitutes, knowing they will be reluctant to report a robbery to the police or get embroiled in any investigation relating to the burglary.
While guesthouses across the city have been targeted, with 11 known cases, police believe the gang could be linked to more of these burglaries and robberies.
The syndicate, which operates primarily out of Malabar and Central, advertises the services of a “masseuse”, but it is believed to actually be prostitution.
One of the syndicate suspects is a woman, but it is unclear whether more women are involved.
A breakthrough came after Humewood detectives tracked down and arrested one of the suspected gang members, Rashied Caderbegg, 24, on September 9.
Since his arrest, the identities of four other suspects, including a woman, who are believed to have since fled the city, have been established.
Caderbegg appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday last week and pleaded guilty to one of the thefts linked to the gang.
He was given a four-year suspended jail sentence.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the masseuse booked into a guesthouse after being contacted by a client.
“Cleverly, the masseuse tells the client to book in under his name, which is why the trend was not spotted immediately,” she said.
“After the client books in, the masseuse arrives. After their business is concluded, the client leaves, giving the masseuse complete access to the accommodation as she has keys to the room.”
Naidu said that during the course of the night the gang of men would move in and steal everything they could find – TV sets, beds, fridges and other appliances in the rooms.
“When the manager or owner goes to investigate why the patron failed to check out, they find the room – and in some cases several rooms – stripped bare,” she said.
“In some cases, the gang members also follow the client and rob him at gunpoint.
“When the crime is reported – which is not often – the victim lies to avoid being questioned about the reason for his visit to the establishment.”
Ikhayalam Lodge in Windermere Road, Humewood, was one of the guesthouses targeted.
Manager Amadu Saidi said a man and a woman had booked into a room in the early evening.
“The man then left during the course of the evening and two of the woman’s friends arrived in a car,” Saidi said.
“I woke up later to find one of the men breaking into the neighbouring rooms.
“I confronted him and he mumbled something before running out and jumping into a car and sped away.
“By then, the men had stolen the television, fridge and bedside lamps.
“They would have stolen more if I had not confronted them.”
Naidu said that in some cases the suspects had looted several rooms in one establishment.
“There are 11 cases we are investigating linked to the same group,” she said.
“The fact that there have been no more incidents since this gang knew we were on to them speaks volumes.
“We have recovered some of the stolen items such as fridges and televisions.
“These were sold to buyers in Port Elizabeth under the pretence that they were old goods the owner was selling,” Naidu said.
Some of the TV sets were sold for R600 and fridges for about R200.
Due to most accommodation venues being on the beachfront, the hardest-hit areas are Summerstrand and Humewood.
However, there have been reports of incidents in other suburbs such as Walmer and Central.
Humewood police station commander Brigadier Ronald Koll said all crime cases relating to guesthouses would have to be reviewed.
“This means that all incidents where guesthouses were targeted could have been linked to this group – and were not just a random incident or burglary,” he said.
Beachfront safety sector forum chairman John Preller said such organised crime gangs brought instability to the city’s multibillionrand tourism industry.
“It is great to hear that groups like these are on the police’s radar,” he said.
“These groups have a negative impact on tourism and it is vital they get stopped.
“We appeal to the judiciary to ensure bail is not easily granted to people like this as the ripple effect of their actions is massive.”
Atlas Security operations manager Monty Montgomery said guesthouses were seen as easy targets due to the high turnover of guests.
He said it was difficult for anyone to keep track of who was who in establishments such as these where guests were constantly booking in and out.
In many cases, the guesthouse owners or managers did not live on site, making it even easier for criminals to prey on the guests or steal from the establishment.
“There is no silver bullet for this problem and each guesthouse will have to develop its own security plan to curb more organised crime elements,” Montgomery said.