Thief crackdown

By Kelly Yates
POLICE are stepping up patrols in Casey after a recent spate of car thefts, with 31 reported to police so far this month.
Leading Senior Constable Chris Blavevic from the Casey Response Unit told the News thieves had been targeting residential streets and shopping centre car parks in Casey at night.
Twelve cars have been stolen in Cranbourne, while 10 were stolen in Narre Warren, three in Berwick, two in Doveton, and one in Hallam and Endeavour Hills.
Police say thieves were stealing older model Holden Commodores, Lasers, Pulsars and dirt bikes.
“They are targeting older Holden Commodores because they are easy to break into and dirt bikes because many of them don’t have registration plates, making them harder to recover,” Sen Const Blavevic.
Police are urging Casey drivers to park their vehicles in garages and secure locations under streetlights.
“Residents need to also make sure their cars are locked. They should consider anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks,” Sen Const Blavevic.
“The public needs to report any suspicious activity to police, especially if they see someone in and around their neighbourhood at night.”
Sen Const Blavevic said it was important the community took down registration numbers of suspicious cars and descriptions of unknown people.
The Casey Response Unit, based out of the Narre Warren police station, is cracking down on car thieves.
“We have a crew specifically dedicated to target these offenders,” Sen Const Blavevic said.
Senior Sergeant Gerry Hengel, the officer in charge at the Narre Warren police station, said any young person thinking about breaking into a car and stealing it would be caught.
“Police are working hard to catch these thieves and are putting certain strategies in place to help tackle the issue of theft of and theft from motor vehicles,” he said.