Robbery At A Tarragona Guest House From The Owner

Just an insight into an all too common event in our Valley. The letter is copied with permission of the writer and are the views of the writer. Minor edits made to protect identities.

Summary of events on 09/03/2009:

3 Bravo males (young, fit, 2 short (approx. 165cm) and one tall and thinner (They seem to be the same 2 males who broke in here on 19 February 2009 and one of the shorter males was also here on the 6th December).

0h55 The criminals seemingly climbed through an open window downstairs and took jewellery and cell phones from downstairs, then walked stealthily upstairs ( a very creaky wooden staircase) and stole cell phones and watch from the main bedroom and were in the process of stealing jewellery + a cell phone in the 3rd bedroom, when the guests woke with the light being switched on. They defended themselves by using brute force against the weapons, with the gentleman guest sustaining knife wounds to his elbow and knee and a head wound sustained when he was hit on the head with a metal candelabra. By this time the other 2 guest had awoken and rushed to the aid of their father/friend and were threatened with the panga and knife by 2 bravo males. One of the bravo males fled down the stairs and opened a window and jumped out. In the mean time the 4 guests were attacking the remaining 2 criminals until they jumped out of the bathroom window- possibly using the drain pipes as their access down to ground level. We were first alerted by the screams/shouts of the guests and the alarm (having been activated immediately on the departure of the criminals). I immediately activated my panic alarm as P…. chased after the criminals – unfortunately they are approx. 18-20 years old, very athletic and strong and they escaped easily.
Deep Blue either reacted to our distress alarm or to Peter’s radio call to Watchcon) and arrived at approximately 01h08. (Radio logs show 3 Deep Blue and 1 ADT vehicle responding at 0h59 Ed.) The criminals were by this time, running up the pathway into the mountain reserve, which we are certain about as the neighbor’s dog was barking loudly (please note that this also occurred on the 19th Feb and we asked ADT and the Police to chase after them, to which there was a stunned non-reaction and mutual agreement that it was not their job).

In this instance, we also mentioned to Deep Blue, the escape route and it fell on deaf ears.

The police arrived at 01h55 and stayed until 05h30 taking down statements, taking non-existent finger prints (as the criminals had latex gloves on) and having a photography shoot of the crime scene.

It is our belief that as ordinary citizens, we have no protection whatsoever. I know that I will have to be here all day to answer questions from an endless stream of investigators and security personal. All the paperwork is very quickly buried under an ever increasing pile of unsolved crimes.
Neither the police nor the security personnel are assisting in catching the criminals. It is up to us all to defend our homes and families. Although P…. has been the only active Tarragona resident on night Neighbourhood watch, he has now resigned his position due to lack of support from Tarragona Estate and will now only actively look after his home and our guests.

A few conclusions:
The criminals are the same- just increasing in number (with one on 6th Dec, 2 on 19th Feb and 3 this morning).
They are dressed as cat burglars, with dark track-suits, light weight and soundless running shoes, latex gloves, full balaclavas and come equipped with small torches and in this case a large knife, panga and heavy baton.
They are young, athletic and very quiet during the robbery and quick escapees.