Thieves target local pharmacies

Multiple thefts of motor vehicles occurred in suburbs including Corio, Lara and Torquay.

One incident was related to keys being left in a vehicle, while six stolen vehicles were recovered over the past week.

Offences spread throughout many suburbs with multiple incidents in Highton, Belmont, Geelong West, Grovedale, Hamlyn Heights, Newtown, Norlane, Bell Park, Colac, Corio, Lara, Thomson, Waurn Ponds and Whittington.

The majority of incidents continue to occur during night hours throughout all nights of the week, mainly in the streets and driveways of residential premises.

Ten incidents were recorded as ‘No Visible Force’, windows were smashed on seven occasions, and locks were forced twice.

A total of 21 incidents involved the theft of registration plates, which was evenly spread across the Geelong area.

Multiple residential burglaries occurred in suburbs including Corio, Belmont, Leopold, Norlane, Hamlyn Heights, Highton, Newtown, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill, Belmont, Ocean Grove and St Albans Park.

Methods of entry included unlocked door (2), forced door (19) and windows forced/broken (10).

Mornings and early afternoons continue to be the peak times for offences, with jewellery, laptops, cash and gaming consoles the most commonly targeted items.

Two pharmacies were targeted over the last week along with three milk bars/ takeaway food premises.

Belmont, Corio and Newtown were the only multiple offence suburbs.

Property damage incidents continue to occur over numerous suburbs with multiple incidents in many suburbs — a high number being identified in Corio, Belmont, Norlane, Geelong and Geelong West.

Property offences are likely to rise with the school holidays, while recorded offences involved graffiti (4), vehicle damage (7), windows damaged (9), fences (3) and doors (2).