Daylight robbery caught on camera
A Cairns resident has told of the alarm he and his wife felt after two thieves allegedly scaled a wall to enter the first floor of their home where they stole a wallet, phone and car keys before driving off with two vehicles.
At least one of the silver-grey vehicles was reported multiple times on social media on Tuesday for allegedly speeding and other dangerous driving activities.
James Cook University Adjunct Professor Darren Russell said he was in the shower around 8am on Monday when two people allegedly broke into the Smithfield home he shares with his wife.
“They scaled a fence and climbed a wall to the first floor where they gained entry,” the 60-year-old said.
“My wife was out the back with the dogs.
“The intruders were in and out so fast, if the dog had known they were there he would have gone them.
“But we have them on CCTV.”
Mr Russell said both cars had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon after they had been reported multiple times on social media crime pages.
“There’s apparently a fair bit of damage to both; our grey Ford Everest suffered a lot of damage, unfortunately, to the front tyres, front end, and graffiti throughout.
“It’s in the hands of police already, both will go to the police compound and undergo forensic examination (and) then will be assessed by the insurers.”
Mr Russell said it was the second time their home had been broken into and items stolen. He said other houses in his street had been targeted in recent months.
“My wife is very upset and I am pretty annoyed, it could have been a lot worse.
“But I feel if no-one is dead it’s a good day because I have heard of several people almost hit by one or another of the stolen cars.
“I heard there were some close calls with people including young children.”
Mr Russell said the local police had told him they “had not seen such large of numbers of vehicles stolen before with numerous cars stolen in the past 48 hours”.
“I think there is no easy solution, this is across central and northern regions,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to reach out to their local member of parliament as the problem on the ground is getting worse not better.” According to Cairns police, as of April 17, 41 vehicles had been stolen this month and 265 this year.
A police spokeswoman confirmed two teenage girls - a 16year-old and a 14-year-old were arrested and charged on Wednesday and their bail was refused.
“The intruders were in and out so fast, if the dog had known they were there he would have gone them. Professor Darren Russell