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The Herald, December 28, 1979 

MASKED bandits broke into a flat on Christmas Day, trussed up a servant and made off with more than $25 000 in cash and jewellery worth about $2 000. 

The money ­­­- $10 notes stored in a plastic bag in a bedroom cupboard – was taken after the two burglars had ransacked the five-room apartment above the Queens Park Superette. 

The bandits smashed doors, emptied cupboards slashed upholstery in the flat, which is rented by Mr Andys Giannakakis, who recently sold the superette. 

A servant, Miss Christine Sibanda (16), described yesterday how she was alone in the apartment at about 2.30 am on Christmas Day, having been asked to look after it while Mr Giannakakis and friends were out celebrating. 

Using skeleton keys, the bandits, both wearing black masks, unlocked the downstairs door to the staircase and entered the second-floor apartment. 

Miss Sibanda fled into the bathroom and locked herself in. The burglars, both in their twenties, began to ransack the flat. 

“After about 10 minutes I heard footsteps approaching the bathroom door. They smashed down the door and dragged me into the lounge,” said Miss Sibanda. 

The men never spoke, but one held a knife against the girl’s throat. They tied her up and threw her on the settee. 

Later they released her and pushed her into a bedroom, where the girl again locked herself in. The bandits left soon afterwards. 

Mr Giannakakis yesterday told of how he and friends returned to the apartment at about 5.30 am. 

“We had a tremendous night and were all in high spirits. We had come back — eight of us in all — for breakfast. As I pulled up outside of the flat I saw Christine leaning out of a bedroom window. She was shaking and shouting for help. 

 “We ran up to the apartment and I found everything in ruins and my money — my savings and proceeds from the sale of my store – had gone. 

“I just cannot believe it. This is like a gangland robbery.” 

He said that taking a relative’s advice he had not banked the money, but instead had put it in a plastic bag hidden in his bedroom cupboard beneath clothing. 

“My cousin was in the Congo and said he had banked his savings there and lost them through the revolution,” said Mr Gainnakakis. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

    One of the top crimes committed during the holiday season is theft, as people will steal various items including money from houses to shops. 

    Shoplifting is also among the most common crimes committed in lieu of the holiday season. Store employees are overwhelmed with the large crowds of shoppers. Thieves disguise themselves in the crowds, allowing for easy pickings.  

    Take care with social media; It may be tempting to post photos online while you are on holiday – or to say that you’re off on a break or a night out — because this lets people know you’re not at home. 

    Criminals drive through neighbourhoods looking for places to target, thus you need to be aware of strangers roaming around your neighbourhood during the festive season. 

    If you don’t already have one, it is worth considering having an intruder alarm installed and maintained. 

    Burglars will typically go for the easy option, so an unprotected homes will stand out among those that are clearly alarmed.