The notorious ‘crowbar gang’ have made countless houses victim to crime in many neighbourhoods around the peninsula. They are swift, successful, and hit when literally no one is looking – and they know your routine better than you do.

Thanks to the Brackenfell Community Policing Forum, information regarding just how the thieves operate has come to light. The group recently got hold of an interview with an alleged member of a gang, and he sure gave away a lot of details.

Not only do the groups hit houses during the week when nobody’s at home, but they take only five minutes to get in and out. Here’s what the member had to say:

Monday night is burger night, buy one get one free at Spur. We drive past Spur to check how full the parking lot is; that means fewer people home. Tuesday night is pizza night and Wednesday is wacky Wednesday.

Outside lights that are left on is an indication that no one is home and owners left very early when it was still dark.

Avoid traffic times.

The flashing blue light of the alarm by the door is a indication that the alarm is activated and no one is home. To confirm, we ring the doorbell.

Sliding gates driveway with no vehicles make perfect cover to reverse into yard.

We choose areas based on the selling prices of houses and levels of security in the area and sometimes the race of people in the area.

So called predominant white areas have more safes in their houses and invest their money in gold, jewellery, Kruger Rands and most have a firearm safe with multiple firearms.

Houses close to exit routes are better, and also areas situated closer to an informal settlement, in order to escape when police chase. Area with increased neighbourhood watches is a risky area.

He noted that they always dress well to match their upmarket rented vehicles and blend into the neighbourhood.

A team of three makes R8 000 each by Thursday when you start Monday and that is only for TV sales. What a we call winning the lotto is when we find a safe with Kruger Rands, expensive jewellery, and firearms.

We sell them because I don’t like guns. Most white people hide lots of money in safes to avoid tax. The most I found was R150 000 including foreign currency.

Most safes are in the main bedroom, in the clothing cupboard, some are not even bolted, but bolted don’t work, you just hit it hard with hammer, put the crowbar behind and take it out the wall, run out with it, open when we home with a grinder.

But who buys their goods? The insider gave away that information, too:

Most of the sales are to foreigners who pay well and take the stolen merchandise out of the country or sell them online. The firearms are sold to gangsters in townships.

He did, however, refuse to disclose the buyer of the Kruger Rands.

And now you know.

[source: policepicsandclips]