Units hit in mass car thefts

SEEMINGLY safe gated unit complexes have become the latest target for brazen thieves who are breaking in and stealing cars in the masses.

In the latest spate of incidents, three units were hit in South Townsville on Wednesday night and six units in Rosslea on Monday night, just weeks after more than 15 break-ins and attempted break-ins at a gated Idalia complex.

Townsville District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said thieves were getting behind the gates targeting units with less security.

“We have had a lot of instances where people are going into unit complexes and checking the security of each and every door, and every car in the car park,” Supt Hanlon said.

“People need to be mindful that there are sometimes people who can get into their complexes.”

In the most recent incident, three cars were stolen from two units at a Morehead St complex in South Townsville.

A Holden Cruz, Holden Colorado and BMW were all taken between midnight and 4am on Thursday.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a group of juveniles broke into the Rosslea complex, forced their way into six units and tried to steal two cars.

Their joy ride didn’t last long, and they dumped one car inside the parking area of the complex just minutes later.

Residents woke to a loud bang, and saw a group of juveniles running from the black Toyota sedan which they left in the middle of the driveway.

Witnesses say police and dog squad swarmed on the area shortly after, but the juveniles escaped and have not been caught yet.

It comes after 18 burglary and attempted burglary complaints made at an Idalia unit complex early Thursday morning.

Police were inundated with reports of break-ins at the Oonoonba Rd complex between 11.30pm and 3.30am on June 1.

Two cars were stolen from the unit complex.

Supt Hanlon said people needed to lock up.

“Sometimes people can give other people access codes, or go in after other cars drive in,” he said.

“Sometimes its about people being aware of their situations … and it comes back to down to people securing their vehicles and homes.”

In May, police recorded 582 unlawful entry offences. So far this month, 247 offences have already been reported.

Supt Hanlon said residents shouldn’t rely on a gated complex as their main level of security.

He said if people were unsure about whether their unit was safe enough, police could go to their house and take an assessment.