Torquay ‘an easy touch for thieves’

ERIN PEARSON
CRIMINALS are travelling to the Surf Coast to steal from cars as residents refuse to lock their vehicles, according to police.
Torquay Police Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Blunt said officers were “fed up” with the rate of cars left unlocked on the coast.
Det Sen Sgt Blunt said police recently charged an 18-year-old Herne Hill man with theft offences for allegedly ransacking about 70 cars.
The man allegedly told police he merely walked along streets “trying handles”, Det Sen Sgt Blunt said.
“Thieves are getting more desperate and coming down this way to try their luck.
“They’re specifically coming down here to steal because cars are predominately unlocked and full of valuables.
“Crooks talk and they see Torquay as a sleepy hollow.”
Victoria Police crime statistics show 190 reports of theft from cars on the Surf Coast in 2010/2011.
Theft from cars was the third most reported offence after property damage and other thefts.
Det Sen Sgt Blunt said other towns on the coast were also in the thieves’ sights.
A man stole from 10 unlocked cars at Anglesea soon after Christmas, he said.
Money and GPS devices were major targets.
“They’re just after money and stuff they can put through secondhand dealers,” Det Sen Sgt Blunt said.
“We encourage people to report these thefts even if coins are only stolen because we can still get finger prints and forensic evidence.”
Det Sen Sgt Blunt said thieves would take anything.
“We had a male the other day leave a shotgun in the back seat of his unlocked car.
“We just scratch our heads to comprehend why people are so blasé about locking their cars.”
Torquay Jan Juc Neighbour-hood Watch coordinator David Cheatley said residents must “wake up”.
“People know they need to lock their cars and ignore it at their own peril. Then they wonder why police are busy with paperwork when they call with a serious burglary or break in,” Mr Cheatley said.
“It’s a bad reputation the town must get rid of. Value what you have and protect it.”