By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A BERWICK mother says she feared for her children’s safety after a terrifying burglary in which thieves entered the family’s home while everyone was asleep.
The offenders entered the Ridgemont Drive house about 4.30am on Sunday 30 August through a back sliding window and stole three iPads, three phones, a Fitbit and a laptop before fleeing the property.
The offenders were allegedly spotted by a neighbour driving off from the house in a car believed to have been stolen from another Berwick home the night before.
The thieves entered this house, in Whistler Drive, just after 2am on Saturday 29 August and from inside took keys to a Holden stationwagon which they stole from the house.
Jacqui Fox, who lives at the Ridgemont Drive property, said her family – including her two young sons – had been left completely shaken by the ordeal.
“It’s more the fact they came into the house and invaded our privacy and our children were asleep – what if one of the children had got up and heard them? That’s what’s frightening,” she said.
“We’re insured, so the stolen items aren’t the biggest problem, the fact is we can’t feel safe in our own home.”
These incidents follow an increasing spate of home burglaries in Casey in the last few months in which thieves break into houses overnight, many times through unlocked doors, and go on to ransack the home, often stealing cars.
Last month Star News spoke to David Linton, of Berwick, who bought his 18-year-old daughter a Holden Commodore for doing well at school.
But less than a month before sitting for her licence, thieves broke into his Findon Way house through the unlocked front door and stole her car.
On 29 July, thieves broke into a Cranbourne North home in Paratea Lane in the middle of the day and took car keys which they used to steal a Kia Sportage.
The car was found burnt-out in parkland in Narre Warren two days later.
Police suspect stolen plates were attached to the car when they found it set ablaze off Robinsons Road.
Overnight on 31 July, a 2015 Range Rover Evoque and a 2008 Holden Astra were stolen from a Furness Court property in Berwick, after thieves also broke in and stole the keys.
Meanwhile, a Kia sedan was stolen from a Berwick house in Newbury Drive just after 1am on 3 August by thieves who were disturbed by the occupant and still managed to take the car.
Detective Senior Sergeant John Bergin urged residents to ensure their house and car doors were locked, warning that keys and cars were being stolen from Casey homes at an alarming rate.
“People have to be aware that there are people, irrespective that it’s winter and cold, looking to steal what they can,” he said.
“Do not leave keys visible on kitchen benches, be aware of secondary keys and make appropriate arrangements – because they will be back.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
