Beware! A potential criminal could respond to your sale ad
Do not invite strangers into your homes without verifying their identities first.
This is the advice being given to those who advertise their homes or cars for sale or rent.
This follows the arrest of a 27-yearold who stole a car after locking up the owner, a magistrate. The owner had advertised the house in Piliyandala for rent. Both the owner and suspect had arrived at the premises by themselves. During an inspection of the premises, the suspect had locked the owner in a room and escaped in the home owner’s car, using the car keys that had been left on top of a table.
The owner had to then escape from the window of his own home to find his car missing. Within several days, the suspect was caught in Wattala while waiting to collect the Rs. 500,000 ransom money he had demanded.
The police said the suspect had been making inquiries based on online advertisements. Two pistols, knives, and liquid spray containing chemicals and chili powder were found in the housing unit in Homagama where the suspect stayed.
Prof W.M. Dhanapala, head of Sri Jayawardanapura University’s department of criminology and criminal justice said more thefts and robberies could be expected and advised caution.
“When allowing strangers inside
one’s house it’s important to first check for identification. If living alone, do not reveal that you are living alone,” he said.
“If possible, inform the visitor to bring the NIC/identity proof or (ask to) send the NIC number before arriving. If you are meeting the person for the first
time, question him/her at the gate. There is a trend among drug addicts to use methamphetamine, or ‘ice’. This is costly and addicts are desperately looking for money.’’
Police media spokesman Senior Superintendent Nihal Thalduwa suggested keeping ignition keys, smart
phones, other valuables and sharp objects out of reach of potential robbers.
Other suspects have been arrested in Kalutara, Moratuwa, Piliyandala, and Mt.Lavinia police areas this week for house breaking, thefts of jewellery, and motorbike robberies.