By Georgia Westgarth
WESTFIELD Fountain Gate shopping centre is an easy target for car thieves and brazen robbers.
The centre includes more than 6000 car spaces and is being targeted regularly, as Officer resident Sandie Dunston found out.
“I parked my car in one of the same spots I always do and didn’t expect it to be gone,” Sandie said.
Her 1999 Nissan Pulsar was broken into and stolen on Tuesday 6 September between, 9.30am and 1pm at Westfield Fountain Gate.
Cafe manager Sandie said this isn’t the first time her car has been broken into at the Narre Warren shopping hub.
“I’m really scared now,” she said.
“My car was broken into with scissors about a year ago, at around 8pm at Fountain Gate, but wasn’t stolen.
“A bit of the scissors was found in the ignition – I’ve been told my model of car is an easy target for thieves and I want a new car after all of this.”
The 26-year-old alerted security who called police and Sandie’s Nissan was found in Mulgrave about 3am on Wednesday 7 September.
More recently a woman was assaulted in the centre car park on the way back to her car.
The man ran pass the female victim and tried to grab her phone out of her hand about 5pm on Saturday 10 September.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Clark said the woman held onto the phone but the man attacked again.
“The male demanded the phone and tried to grab it again and a second male appeared and blocked the woman from getting away,” Sen Sgt Clark said.
“She eventually gave up grip of the phone and the two males left the scene with the mobile.”
The male perpetrators were described as teenagers and African in appearance.
The first attacker was described as average height and build and wearing an orange T-shirt, with short black hair.
Police were called and attended the scene.
Westfield Fountain Gate’s Julia Clarke from Scentre Group Corporate Affairs said the car park is managed by security.
“The centre management team works closely with police in the interest of maintaining the safety and security of shoppers, retailers and staff,” Ms Clarke said.
But that doesn’t ease Sandie’s angst.
“I don’t feel comfortable even driving someone else’s car around Fountain Gate,” Sandie said.
Sen Sgt Clark from the Narre Warren Police Station said he wants everyone to “look, lock, leave,” when walking to and from their parked cars.
“Westfield Fountain Gate is not specifically being targeted, however shopping centre car parks are a common place for car thieves to target,” Sen Sgt Clark said.
“I haven’t noticed an influx at Fountain Gate.”
