Gang suspected in fresh bar burglary

A GANG of thieves believed to be targeting bars and restaurants in Port Elizabeth has struck again.

This time, Chatterbox in Fourth Avenue, Newton Park, was hit yesterday morning.

CCTV footage shows three men wearing hoodies smash the front sliding door and grab a plasma television on the wall.

The entire burglary lasted all of 24 seconds before the three men ran off.

The burglary is similar to the one at Finnezz Fusion Cafe in Humerail last week, where bottles of expensive booze was stolen.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the Chatterbox burglary happened within 15 minutes of staff locking up at about 1.30am yesterday.

“The staff locked the bar up and left. Within 15 minutes the thieves pounced,” she said.

Atlas Security operations manager Monty Montgomery said his men arrived within minutes of the alarm going off, but the men had already fled.

“These are definitely people who have done this before.

“They probably also have someone waiting outside, out of camera view, as a lookout for response officers or police arriving,” he said.

Asked about a possible gang targeting bars, Montgomery said he believed it was one group.

“The latest incidents and the one last week bear a striking resemblance. We suspect it is the same gang.

“I am aware of at least five other country clubs and bars that have been broken into over the past three weeks,” he said.

“In all the incidents I know of, criminals break in, steal alcohol and television sets within minutes, if not quicker.”

All the cases are under investigation.