By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
HOUSING estates and shopping centre car parks across Casey have been targeted in a dramatic rise of unlocked car thefts over the last week.
Police are at a loss to understand why people continue to leave their cars unlocked in the municipality after 53 thefts from cars had been recorded in the previous seven days, more than double the 15 to 20 weekly average, with thieves targeting both residential homes and car parks throughout Narre Warren and Cranbourne.
Worst hit areas include Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in Narre Warren and pockets around Greaves Road and Centre Road in Narre Warren South.
Cranbourne’s Botanic Ridge Estate and houses south of Camms Road towards Sladen Street have also been heavily targeted.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Rumble said the rise in car thefts was alarming and pointed to a significant amount of targeted robberies.
“There are certainly people out there where that is the goal, to go out and target unlocked cars,” he said.
“Then there are other people who are opportunistic when they’re walking home.
“Groups of young kids taking advantage of cars left unlocked on the street.”
Det Sgt Rumble said police were putting a lot of attention into the rapid rise in thefts, but acknowledged offenders who stole from unlocked cars were harder to track than those who were forced to break into locked cars.
“The harder it is for someone to get into the car, the more evidence they leave behind to assist our crime scene officers,” he said.
“When the cars are unlocked, there’s little trace evidence for police to work with.”
Det Sgt Rumble urged people in Casey to ensure their cars were locked and to keep valuables hidden.
“It’s hard to believe that with theft from motor cars being so prevalent, people haven’t learnt the lesson to keep their car locked and keep valuables out of sight,” he said.
“I fail to understand how people don’t get the message, that’s the disappointing part of it, when people continue to do that.
“We’re also finding now that there’s an increase in flow-on offences from car thefts, including deceptions and the likes on credit card and the pay wave system.
“If people were more diligent and kept their wallets inside, and didn’t leave them in cars, then none of us would have this problem.”
Turn to page 3 for more on what Neighbourhood Watch Casey is doing to curb car thefts.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
