Thieves target farmers

POLICE have again urged residents to secure their homes and lock their cars after thieves stole an unlocked Holden Rodeo from a farm.

Millmerran Senior Constable Steve Ryan said the criminals’ task was made easier after the owner left the Rodeo’s keys nearby.

The vehicle was stolen from Bringalily on Thursday.

A some point, it came into the possession of a 22-year-old Millmerran man who drove it for several days.

Snr Constable Ryan said a member of the public phoned the police after he found the vehicle parked suspiciously in Millmerran bushland about 1pm on Saturday.

“We attended and located the offender walking near the vehicle,” he said.

Police also located a meth pipe and a handheld electrocution device.

The man was charged with unlawful use of the motor vehicle, disqualified driving, breaching a domestic violence order, a weapons offence and possession of drug utensils.

He will be held in custody until Thursday, when he is due in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court to face 19 prior charges, along with the new charges from the weekend.

Snr Constable Ryan said the rightful owner was overjoyed to have their vehicle recovered in working condition.

“It had a few sideboards missing, and the roof rack had been taken off,” he said.

“Believe it or not, the offender had actually cleaned the vehicle.”

Despite the good result, Snr Constable Ryan urged landholders to improve their onfarm security, saying rural properties were ideal targets for opportunistic thieves.

“Perhaps consider electronic security, such as cameras or sensors, and definitely take your keys out of your vehicles at night.”