[imagesource: Joshua Rubin]

The Cape Town CBD may be eerily quiet, but that doesn’t mean that criminals are taking time off.

You’ve seen the pictures of deserted streets, and the drone footage, and I guess that adds up to the perfect opportunity for plundering what you can from businesses that are shuttered.

IOL reported yesterday that 16 suspects have been arrested over the past week, with the crimes occurring in a number of districts:

…such as Bob’s Bar, Harrington’s, Revelas Fisheries and Liny’s Baby shop – said Cape Town Central City Improvement District [CCID] safety and security manager Mo Hendricks.

In the biggest arrest, public safety officers swooped on seven suspects at Liny’s Baby Shop, on the corner of Plein and Strand streets, near Cape Town station at 10.35am on Sunday.

Three suspects were also arrested on Sunday for breaking into Revelas Fisheries in Long Street, with another two arrested for a house break-in on the corner of Buitengracht and Wale streets.

Perhaps the most daring heist was the one that took place at Bob’s Bar on Constitution Street on Saturday evening, when three suspects attempted to escape after being caught in the act by a CCID officer.

“Three suspects disappeared inside the premises and the steel door was closed from the inside. Two of them then tried to escape by jumping from the top of the door, but they were apprehended by CCID officers,” said CCID night manager TJ Jenkins…

“It was then discovered that alcohol to the value of R9 000 had been stolen from Bob’s Bar. The third suspect was never found.

Not to make light of the situation, but I’m sure a few people have considered robbing a bar at a time when alcohol sales or transportation are barred for 21 days.

That’s maybe the one thing that the general public can be forgiven for panic buying in the days before the lockdown.

A further two suspects were arrested for carrying implements used to break into vehicles.

The CCID has warned that they will come down hard on criminals during the lockdown period, with 300 public safety officers patrolling the streets.

Given how businesses are already struggling during this time, a break-in is the last thing they need.

A big thanks to those officers, both from the CCID and the SAPS, keeping the streets safe while we’re tucked up in the confines of our own homes.

[source:iol]