Basement crooks in free-for-all
A SECURITY system expert has blamed unprecedented wet weather for a spike in thefts from underground car parks and basements.
Gold Coast Security Cameras director Justin Murray estimated this type of crime had “doubled, if not, tripled” over the past few years.
While police could not confirm specific figures, reports of this occurring have been prolific on social media community groups in recent months.
When asked what trends he had noticed, Mr Murray gave a surprising answer.
The security expert said he had received many reports of secure carparking fobs and controllers that had “malfunctioned from water damage”.
In recent months, the La Nina weather pattern has brought record rain and floods to southeast Queensland and other parts of the country.
“All the gates were unlocked and they couldn’t close them until the controllers were repaired,” Mr Mur
ray said.
“A lot of bikes and cars were broken into and stolen during that period.”
He said the youth crime problem, population growth and the shift towards highrise living had also contributed to the issue.
The Bulletin contacted Queensland Police for comment, but was told it was unable to respond to the media inquiry due to “other work commitments”.
Bond University criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy said it was difficult to find data for this specific theft type, but added the reported increase was “not surprising”.
“People can move around now because the Covid lockdowns are finished and those types of areas provide good targets for criminals,” Dr Goldsworthy said.
“People often leave things in their cars that they shouldn’t.
“If you go into a unit block and there’s 30 to 40 cars there, as long as you keep your wits about you and keep your eye on anyone coming in or coming down the lift, you can go through the cars systematically and see what’s of value to you.”
In May, Surfers Paradise woman Jamie Currie fell victim to this crime when two people stole her $11,000 Harley Davidson motorbike from a parking garage.
Ms Currie did not know how the thieves managed to steal the bike because she still had the key.
CCTV of the theft showed two people walk into the garage through an open gate and drive off on the bike minutes later.
Dr Goldsworthy said building managers should keep up to date with the latest security technology, including high resolutions cameras and motion sensor lighting, to deter criminals.