Expensive jewelry and electronics were among items stolen during a house break-in over the weekend at Namadi Heights, Suva.

Taken by complete surprise, the family had returned home from holiday on Sunday to discover their entire house had been ransacked, with even the fridge and pantry raided of their contents.

The thieves entered the home by dislodging a portion of the burglar bars, before removing three louver blades to create a small opening. Small enough to accommodate a person of short stature, one thief entered through the opening and let the others inside through the front door, it is believed.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed a report was lodged on the same day of the incident, adding that the house was empty at the time of the robbery.

The family believes they were closely monitored before the robbery was carried out.

“We always make sure someone is home all the time and this was one of those rare occasions when the house was empty,” said house-owner Saras Krishnan.

Evidence of what was a meticulous raid of the house appeared in the form of scattered clothes and food items, along with open cupboards and empty shelves.   

“This house is on top, so there is a cliff-like thing at the back and we found footprints going down that way,” said Ms Krishnan.

She believes thieves in the area use a network of shortcuts to move around with much greater ease. In the six years the family has lived in the house, they say they have foiled at least two attempted robberies.

Although the latest statistics revealed, by Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho recorded, a drop in robbery and aggravated robbery cases, the crime rate in Namadi Heights continue to pose some headaches.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback:  sheldon.chanel@fijisun.com.fj