Festive time precautions will help save homes from break-ins
Police request the public to avoid updating their travel details on social media and to check the functionality of the household Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras before going out during this festive time.
“Organised groups closely monitor social media updates of people. Therefore, it is advisable to post photos of trips here or overseas after arriving, but not while on the trip; the same is advised when going out on parties,” said police spokesman Senior Superintendent Nihal Thalduwa.
Police launched a week-long, countrywide raids to crackdown on drug traffickers and addicts, as narcotic addicts were behind many housebreakings and robberies, he said.
“When questioned, we found out that criminal gangs are monitoring the travel movements of individuals and using addicts to break into houses, religious places and financial institutions,” he said.
Last week, Athurugiriya police arrested three men, aged 29, 34 and 36, in connection with several robberies and housebreakings in Thalangama, Kaduwela, Malabe, Athurugiriya and Kadawatha.
Police took into custody television sets, mobile phones, motorbikes, melted gold, gas cylinders, tabs, vehicle tyres, vehicle batteries and many more.
Katunayake police arrested two men, aged 28 and 34, over a series of robberies in shops and houses in Negombo, Katunayake and surrounding areas. Police recovered several mobile phones, laptops and new clothes.
Two suspects, including a woman from Mt. Lavinia, were arrested by Kiriella police over multiple robberies involving gold jewellery and cash. Police said both were heroin addicts.
Two men wanted for robberies and housebreaking in the Dehiwala and Kohuwala police divisions were arrested recently. The police said the suspects, residents of Tissamaharama and Grandpass, had wallets containing debit and credit cards, and copper antiques. The suspects have also stabbed a person during a robbery.
Wattala police arrested two men, both in their 20s, who were wanted over several jewellery thefts in the Wattala, Mahabage, Ja-Ela and Kandana areas. Among the items recovered were gold jewellery, pawn documents, and melted stolen gold.
According to the police, last year, 8,645 cases of housebreaking and 3,065 cases of robbery were recorded. The highest number of housebreaking incidents were reported in Kelaniya, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Gampaha, Ratnapura, and Nugegoda police divisions.
“From Peliyagoda to Gampaha, northern Colombo and surrounding areas, Mt. Lavinia to Nugegoda, robberies are mainly done by drug addicts. They will grab any item that has some value. Special operations are underway these days to arrest narcotic addicts involved in robberies,” SSP Thalduwa said.
“Over 70% of crimes are housebreaking and robbery. Robbers thrive during the holidays. Therefore, holidaymakers need to be extremely cautious about protecting themselves and their valuables at home. While most crimes are committed by narcotic addicts, the increasing cost of living will leave some to opt for these crimes,” said professor in criminology, M.W. Jayasundara.