News
Burglars are watching your house, preying on possessions
View(s):By Nadia Fazlulhaq
K. N. Deen and his family are still in shock after a break-in at their home while they slept in their residence on Schofield Place, Colombo 03, despite a burglar alarm.
They lost valuables including expensive watches, a diamond studded ring, and cash left in an almirah. A week has passed and the Kollupitiya police are still looking for the suspect.
Wattala OIC Anura Gunawardena addressing area residencts on Friday
“The burglar alarm at the back door was triggered at about 5:45 a.m. and by the time we were up, the thief had escaped with the valuables. He had entered by breaking the window. The burglar was wearing a (face) mask, so identifying (him) from CCTV is extremely difficult,” he said.
In the highly residential area there are many daily-wage workers seen at construction sites, he said.
According to police statistics, 4,428 break-ins at residences have been reported from January to May 31. Out of this 1,807 (41%) have been resolved with valuables recovered. Last year 8,668 housebreakings were recorded with 4,101 (47%) resolved, so far.
This year, there have been 1,258 incidents of robbery and 2,794 thefts.
A number of break-ins at homes, robberies, and thefts were reported this week as well. A house in Okkampitiya was robbed while the house owner was visiting her parent’s home. Gold jewellery worth Rs. 375,000, a gemstone, and cash had been stolen.
A male suspect, 36, was arrested by Cinnamon Gardens police, while attempting to sell stolen laptops and mobile phones robbed from houses and offices.
A suspected drug addict, 31, was arrested in Ahangama and goods stolen from tourist hotels including beds, spring mattresses, televisions, and vehicle batteries were recovered.
In Kalutara, five suspects who broke into shops and grabbed generators and mobile phones were arrested.
“People have to be on alert, especially at night, and when leaving for a vacation. Several family members should be given the responsibility of checking all the gates, doors, and windows before the family goes to sleep. Valuables should not be kept in obvious places like the wardrobe or the almirah,” said Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa. (Please see graphic on precautionary measures).
Mr. Thalduwa noted the risk of posting live travel updates on social media.
“Organised criminals monitor people’s movements. Families who have elderly persons living alone should set up CCTV cameras or have a trusted person look after them. Valuables should be kept in a bank,” he said.
Burglar alarms and community watches are some measures he suggested.
The awareness programme in progress in Wattala. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
On Friday, the Wattala police adressed area residents about the increase in crimes and safety precautions homes can take.
Criminology Professor M. W. Jayasundara said there is an unhealthy increase in crimes including break-ins at homes and robberies.
“Loss of income, unbearable food and medicine costs and lack of trust in law and order are pushing some to commit these crimes. The increased narcotic prices and unavailability of construction work and daily wage jobs for drug addicts are also resulting in drug addicts resorting to housebreakings and robbery,” he said.
Prof. Jayasundara said social controls needs to be strengthened.
“The political leadership should set an example by taking strict action against their members who commit crimes,” he said.
Additional reporting by Sumanasiri Gunathilake (Moneragala Corr)
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