By Luke Voogt
A recent increase in “opportunistic” burglaries and car thefts in Geelong has prompted a police warning for locals to lock their homes and vehicles.
Last month, an 18-year-old Corio man and an unidentified accomplice allegedly gained access to a home in Geelong via unlocked front security and main doors while a family of four slept.
They allegedly stole two sets of car keys from a hallway table and two cars parked in the driveway.
Police recovered the cars five days later with extensive damage.
Officers arrested the Corio man and charged him with four counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of motor vehicle theft and two counts of handling stolen goods.
He was remanded to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on March 15.
Earlier this month, an opportunistic thief entered an unsecured home while the female occupant was asleep.
Police are still hunting the thief, who stole a computer, a mobile phone, bank cards and a tablet from the women’s bedside table.
The bank cards were used multiple times in Geelong after the burglary, according to police.
Police warned that thieves were increasingly targeting personal papers, passports and other identification.
Criminal networks can use these to obtain credit in the victim’s name or commit other identity fraud.
The majority of these recent crimes had resulted from unlocked properties or vehicles, with no sign of forced entry, according to Leading Senior Constable Andrew King.
“An unlocked home or vehicle is a sitting duck for burglars and thieves,” he said.
“They can quietly enter your home or vehicle without smashing a window or forcing locks, reducing their chances of being caught.”
He urged residents to lock their homes and vehicles, and encouraged them to security features such as CCTV cameras.
Locals can report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
