Guns go in thefts

Four homes burgled

GUNS and an antique weapon have been stolen in a string of daylight burglaries on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Police said at least four homes were burgled on Monday between 8am and 4pm with a rifle, shot gun, jewellery, electronics, a replica samurai sword and a 1940s bayonet all part of the thieves’ haul at homes in Drysdale, Ocean Grove and Leopold.

Senior Constable Matt Ryan said in each case the homes were ransacked and police were investigating whether the four cases were linked.

“The bayonet had been handed down through the family. From what we could identify, the front door had been left unlocked before they’ve gone through the whole house and ransacked every drawer,” Sen-Constable Ryan said.

“They’ve then found some keys to a safe where two firearms were stolen, one a .22 bolt action with a scope and the second a Winchester shotgun.

“It looks like they’ve been there a little while before the owners, an elderly couple in their 70s, returned home.”

He said two sets of car keys were stolen at Drysdale and jewellery and electronics stolen at Leopold, including an iPad.

He urged homeowners to ensure doors were locked properly, which included in particular bi-fold doors.

“It’s important people make sure they secure the pin locking mechanism in all doors,” Sen-Constable Ryan said.

“We think these ones are random . . . they’ve just driven down the Bellarine Peninsula for the day checking doors.

“We got fingerprints from one address which gives us a person of interest to work with.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.