Homes open to thieves
DETECTIVES have repeated calls for residents to secure their homes and vehicles after thieves walked into at least three Westbrook homes within the space of about half an hour.
Toowoomba CIB officer-incharge Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said a male offender entered the first home through an open garage roller door about 4.40pm on Wednesday.
They were confronted by the occupants, fled on foot and appeared to enter a grey Mitsubishi Outlander wagon that was parked nearby.
“Around that time, a garage remote control was left in an unlocked car enabling an offender easy access to another Westbrook home,” Senior Sergeant McCusker said.
“They were disturbed inside the home and were observed leaving the scene in a grey wagon that police believe is the same Outlander wagon.
“At another Westbrook property the owner has come to and observed two people exiting the same vehicle and entering their house via an open and raised garage door.”
Police believe that in each case the offenders were in a grey Mitsubishi Outlander wagon that was stolen from a Darling Heights home on July 6.
Sgt McCusker urged residents to lock up.
“In every instance, access was easily gained through premises being unsecured,” he said.
“Houses are still being located unlocked while people attend to their day-to-day activities.
“Just because you are home does not mean offenders won’t enter your premises.”
Police have arrested and charged a 32-year-old man with the unlawful use of the Outlander and they are aware of at least two other people who have used the vehicle in the past week.
Sgt McCusker said it was common for stolen vehicles to be passed between several offenders.
“They run hard in them for a few days and then give them to someone else,” he said.
In an unrelated matter, police linked a Black 2017 Audi Q3 (395XFX) wagon to multiple fuel thefts after it was stolen from a Cotswold Hills home on Sunday.
Finally police are searching for a grey 2012 Kia Cerato sedan (357DL3) and a red 2010 Jeep Cherokee wagon (800TVP) that were stolen during a burglary of the Glenvale home on Wednesday.