‘Witnesses’ stun police

ERIN PEARSON
POLICE are “astonished” witnesses failed to report a triple burglary in progress at Torquay, according to a senior Surf Coast police officer.
Detective Sergeant Craig Blunt said he was stunned to discover residents had watched the Torquay Central burglaries without calling police.
“People must call police if they see something suspicious – we can’t catch these criminals without the public’s help,” he said.
“We’re just astonished that multiple persons saw the burglaries underway but failed to contact police and report what they were seeing.”
Det Sgt Blunt said offenders broke into The Coffee Club, Genki and Nailco about 7am Monday.
Witnesses reported seeing the men at the Bristol Road stores before they fled in a black, four-door sedan.
Det Sgt Blunt said the offenders unsuccessfully tried to remove a safe from one store and caused “severe damage” to all three.
He urged shop owners to install security equipment.
Burglars damaged more than a dozen Surf Coast businesses between April 26 and May 6.
Det Sgt Blunt asked anyone with any information on the latest burglaries to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.