A Few Examples of Larceny in Ardsley Park

The following is an email from Officer Martir last week that has been forwarded to me:

Please try to enforce locking items with good strong locks; many of the items being taken are from the back of the home. Remind everyone to continually report any Suspicious Activity to police and call the crime prevention office to conduct security surveys. If you notice the incident on E 49th St ended with an arrest because someone called to report a suspicious person keep up the good work. Enjoy the weekend.
 
1XX E 49th St, (Ardsley Park) CRN 110627025 reported at 06:36hrs; A suspect, fitting the description of the suspicious person call. Was carrying a red weed eater and a gallon gas can. At this time, victim pulled up and stated that his weed eater and gas can were stolen by the suspect. The victim stated that his neighbor told him that he saw a black male matching the description of the suspect enter his carriage house and take his weed-eater and gas can. Forensics processed the weed-eater, gas can and the residence. Suspect was transported to CCDC.

 6XX E 52nd St, (Ardsley Park) CRN 110701012 reported at 02:44hrs; While on patrol, and officer observed a Ford F-150 in the driveway at the above residence with the rear tool box open. There was a pry bar found underneath the rear of the truck. The owner stated the pry bar was his and found 8 cans of spray paint missing. He stated that he parked his truck at 2300hrs.

 1XX E 52nd St, (Ardsley Park) CRN 110629184 reported at 00:06hrs; Residents noticed that the lock was broken off. When he conducted an inventory of the storage closet, he determined a bicycle and a weed eater taken.

Crime Affects Commercial Property As Well As Residential

Yesterday my co-worker Kim Iler asked me to ride with her to one of her commercial property listings to meet a customer there. She was smart to ask me because the property, on Ogeechee Road, is vacant and set back from the street.

She wanted my company because she didn't know the person/people she was meeting and mace can't prevent all criminal attempts.

When we pulled up we saw the front door to one of the buildings was forced open and the door on another building were swaying in the breeze. So she called the Chatham County Sheriff's Office to report the incident.

We sat in the car upon the advice of the dispatcher, which was just as well considering it started to rain. Officer Bena arrived, got our story and then called for back-up. Officer Marshall (no relation) quickly arrived. As they searched the first building Kim's customer pulled up.

It can't be a good thought that crosses a customer's mind when he makes an appointment to walk a property and arrives to find two cops yelling "Police!" from inside it.

Kim explained the nature of their visit and he volunteered that the doors had not been busted open when he drove by the property at 7p.m. the night before. So now the officers could narrow the time the crime occurred. After they cleared each building Kim walked around explaining the virtues of this investment to the customer.

While I'm not looking at any statistics right now, I think it is safe to say break-ins are on the rise. The community recently saw the theft of A/C units from just empty churches on Isle of Hope and the Boy Scouts Coastal Center. So what can a property owner do to protect her property? (In this case, the owner lives in Florida.) You can use an alarm system (most practical), file paperwork with the Sheriff's Office to permit them to patrol the property and arrest anyone on it (practical) and alert the neighbors (generally effective).

Fortunately for me and Kim, it isn't our job to protect your property in your absence, but we can help out when something goes wrong.

This particular property owner is lucky- nothing was stolen (A/C units, appliances, wiring, etc...) and there was no extensive damage from smoke or graffiti. All the trespassers left were a broken door and empty Twinkie wrappers.

SCMPD issues Ardsley Park Advisory

You read it here first! Savannah man punches burglar through window

Beating the Savannah Morning News to the punch yet again!

Check out today's article and then read yesterday's blog post  for the first person account of this criminal attempt.

The window through which the attempted burglary took place.

Ardsley Park Crime Alert

<The following is an email sent to Ardsley Park residents from a homeowner on 51st Street. I'm leaving his name out to protect his privacy.>

"Early Saturday a.m. (12:45 to be exact) as I was lying in my bed watching TV, I heard a noise outside on my deck (the deck is attached to the house outside of bedroom). I thought it was a neighborhood cat jumping on the deck furniture.

Imagine my surprise and sheer terror when in the next moment a loud crash - the storm window broke in my bedroom. And not just a plain single pane window, but a storm window! Within seconds I was up, and as I used my right hand to glance thru the blinds and see a guy trying to cut through the screen, I used my left hand as payback. I slammed my fist through the window, grabbing at the thug with everything I could. I screamed, he screamed and he was gone, jumping over the fence and took off running down the lane.

I immediately called 911. The police and medics (lots of blood but only a few small cuts from the glass on my hand) were there in moments. About 1/2 dozen cops combed the area. They found 2 bikes, a yard blower and all gates opened on all houses within the surrounding area. Basically the thug that came to my house had already hit up one place and got the blower (and probably the bike) and were getting ready to have a free-for-all on my block. Thank goodness I was awake and was able to put a stop to his "shopping" spree.

I am happy to report that the POS showed up within the hour at Memorial with cuts on his hands/arms. Memorial alerted the cops and he was eventually arrested. His name is Samuel Green, III and wonder of wonders....he was on probation! Sadly and even more so, INFURIATING, he will be out jail within a couple of months and be right back on the streets to steal from us again!
It’s vital that if you see anyone you do not recognize in your alley or on your street to call the cops – and let them sort it out because next time the only tax payer dollars to be used will be for the paperwork and the coroner."

Savannah Police Say That A/C Unit Theft Increasing Again

Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department advises that A/C unit theft from vacant "for sale" or "for rent" properties is on the rise again.  This goes for both commercial and residential properties.

I wrote about this in March and I mentioned this was occurring mainly in Southside and West Chatham.  See for yourself at http://www.raidsonline.com/.

The latest thefts don't just involve vacant buildings, but empty ones. A/C units were stolen from Skidaway Island United Methodist church, Isle of Hope Baptist and the Coastal Empire Council of Boy Scouts when no one was there.
Be vigilant! I have heard these criminals are bold. They show up with a truck or van, walk straight to the A/C, say they are doing repairs or an inspection if questioned and then carry it away.

I'm not suggesting you intervene, but talk to the neighbors of your vacant properties and ask them to call the police if they see anything suspicious.