BMX bandits strike off- guard shoppers
BMX bandits targeting vulnerable shoppers have put themselves firmly on the radar of police and shopkeepers.
Kirwan Police Station officer in charge Senior Sergeant Jason Brosnan advised shoppers to keep a close eye on valuables as brazen thieves targeted carparks at local shopping centres.
Snr Sgt Brosnan said eight bag- snatching incidents had been recorded in the past couple of weeks and it appeared thieves were targeting “single females” as they walked to their cars or loaded their groceries.
Offenders on pushbikes have been snatching bags from unsuspecting victims’ trolleys and riding away.
Snr Sgt Brosnan said numerous shopping centres in Kirwan had been targeted by the youths, aged about 15, who usually acted alone or with one other accomplice.
Liquor Legends Parkside Plaza manager John Cummins said they’d seen a few youths hanging around recently.
“We’re on to them here. We tend to catch them ( loitering) and shoo them away,” Mr Cummins said.
“We try and move them along if they’re hanging around a bit.”
He said a customer this week said she’d had her bag stolen twice in the past few months while shopping at a nearby centre.
Heatley resident Kim Aldridge said she’d heard of it happening lately, seen any offences.
She said situational awareness was needed as you couldn’t trust people and she made sure she knew where her bag and valuables were at all times.
She was shopping at Vincent Market Place, where she’d heard of a few bag- snatching incidents in that carpark.
“Generally I’ve not had a problem,” Ms Aldridge said.
“Security’s pretty good. They’re usually there all the time ( watching the carpark).”
Mr Cummins said he’d but hadn't walked customers out to their cars before as they’d been uncomfortable with some youths loitering outside.
Fasta Pasta Cannon Park manager Madison Macsloy said she’d seen kids on bikes with bandannas covering their faces riding around late at night, but had scared them away by pretending to call security.
Snr Sgt Brosnan said the offences had come to the attention of police and he urged people to secure bags and valuables in their cars before unloading their trolleys.