Complex burgled six times since January

A unit at Bergundy Hills Estate in Bergbron was burgled last week, making this the sixth incident in four months.

In January two units were burgled earlier this year and two more attempted burglaries took place.

Just last month, a step ladder used for maintenance inside the complex was spotted placed against a security wall to gain access.

Mavis Scharneck, the latest victim arrived home with her daughter at 6pm on Thursday before the Easter Weekend to find the lock to her security gate had been broken.

She told her daughter to wait outside while she checked to see if anyone was still inside.

Her plasma television, stationed on the wall was missing and as she made her way into her bedroom, found all her belongings were strewn all over the room.

“My room was trashed; it was utter chaos in there. I was in a complete state of shock and my daughter was in tears. We could not believe it had happened to us. When I called my boyfriend, he thought I was joking,” said Mavis.

Not only was the television missing, but the family found two laptops were stolen along with seven watches, jewellery, expensive perfume, spare car keys and more.

“We are still trying to account for stolen goods because there are still many items missing, my expensive gold chains, diamond earrings and bangles. Sometimes you’re scared to wear things because they might get lost but now they are stolen and I wish I had worn them more,” said Mavis.

She said although she lost items of sentimental value, what she has really lost is her sense of security.

“I sleep with my daughter in one room and lock the door because we are scared the criminals might come back. We have lost our ability to live safe and comfortably. My daughter is terrified and that breaks my heart. We can’t even leave her alone during the day like I used to,” said Mavis.

Complex agent Aurora De Valance said after the spate of burglaries earlier this year, they have reprogrammed their security controls and added security gates.

“We have tried to beef up security but that has not stopped criminals so we need to sit down with the tenants and find solutions. There has been rumours that the burglaries might be an inside operation but at this stage we cannot point fingers. What we thought would help did not help,” she said.