Man injured as car stolen
Attempted break-ins rife in street
A Cranbrook resident was unsurprised to learn that a 63year-old neighbour’s car was stolen after he was assaulted by an unknown group of people, saying thieves were waiting to take advantage of weakness.
The man’s white Toyota Hilux was stolen after the assault in Wattle St about 5.30am on Monday.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed it was investigating the robbery.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the man suffered a head injury.
He was taken to Townsville University Hospital for treatment in a stable condition.
Wattle St residents had not heard of the assault, but said attempted break-ins were common in some parts.
“Learn in school not gaol (jail)” was written on a driveway in the street, and nearby a Cranbrook woman said that while she could not identify the owner of the vehicle, someone had thrown a headless possum
into her garden overnight.
There is no suggestion the incidents are related.
Nearby, there was another house with a battered door handle.
Its owner said would-be thieves had damaged the handle using pliers during one of the six break-ins attempted in the past month.
“The one at the back is exactly the same,” he said. “It’s happened more frequently since I had a car at the front.”
Residents were prepared and
took anti-crime measures such as installing security cameras and locking their doors, but said thieves waited for people to overlook something.
“It’s frustrating but I’m not surprised at all,” one resident said.
“The easier the better … the weakest part in someone’s security.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant vision that may assist in the investigation is urged to contact police, quoting QP2400647775.