By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A CRANBOURNE woman was arrested last week for allegedly stealing 800 unopened letters and parcels from homes, businesses and cafes throughout Casey.
Police found the mail – some of which dates back several months – and roughly $5000 worth of stolen property inside the 43-year-old’s car last Friday.
It’s believed most of the stolen items, apart from the mail, were taken during a recent home burglary in Hampton Park.
The woman was arrested and her car seized after she tried to break into a Narre Warren South house while a 13-year-old boy was inside, home alone.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Rumble said he’d never dealt with a case where such a large amount of mail had been stolen.
“Normally what people steal mail for is to steal someone’s identity and then commit identity fraud, but I haven’t seen anyone with the quantity of mail like this – it’s exceptional,” he said.
“It’s not just the theft but the quantity, that’s what makes it unique from most other crimes.”
The woman had tried to break into the Musgrove Court home in Narre Warren South by jimmying the door around 1.30pm on Friday while the 13-year-old was alone inside.
Despite the teenager screaming at the offender from behind the door to go away, and warning her he would call police, the woman kept trying to force her way into the house.
The boy managed to contact his uncle who lives nearby and when the older man arrived at the property the woman fled.
The boy’s uncle followed the offender to another house where police were called and arrested the woman, who was also allegedly in possession of methamphetamine.
Detectives seized the offender’s car, where the stolen mail and items were found.
She has been charged with burglary, attempted aggravated burglary, theft and theft of mail, and was remanded in custody.
Police allege the woman was drug affected at the time of her arrest.
Det Sgt Rumble commended the 13-year-old boy for his quick thinking in ringing someone for help despite the high-pressure situation.
“He’s done completely the right thing, he’s rung to get help straight away and he was terrified inside the house with this person trying to break in,” he said.
“It’s a terrifying situation for a kid of that age to find himself in.
“Normally when anyone’s disturbed in the manner she was, they immediately take off.”
Det Sgt Rumble said the arrest was a timely reminder for residents to keep their windows and doors locked, and ensure children left at home unsupervised have access to a mobile phone in case of an emergency.
