Sad Christmas after thieves target homes

CHRISTMAS has been ruined for Tarin Moke and her son Taavi.

Ms Moke told the Cairns Post she normally worked from her Kanimbla home, but was at her brother’s house when thieves threw a rock through her glass back door and ransacked her home on Wednesday afternoon.

“They took my phone and my son's tablet. They went through all of my jewellery,” she said.

“They took my housemate’s speakers and his limited edition Patty Mills shoes. They’re the only ones in Australia. They also took some of his hats and a backpack to carry all of the stuff in.”

She said this was the third time she’d been broken into while living in Cairns.

“I really feel violated. I didn't even want to use my toothbrush, because they’ve been through everything,” she said.

“It’s heartbreaking because I want to give my three-yearold the safest environment to live in.”

But she said she was trying to stay positive despite the low blow just days before Christmas.

“It’s going to be a very sad Christmas this year,” she said.

“At least my son and I are OK. They’re just material things.”

Ms Moke was just one of several Clohesy Ct residents whose homes were broken into during the Wednesday afternoon crime spree.

But Cairns police are reassuring residents that thieves are not targeting homes just because it is Christmas.

Fears over a spate of breakins have been gathering momentum in online forums this week but Cairns Police Acting Sergeant Russ Parker said the crimes were not related to the season.

“There’s nothing to suggest they’re targeting homes at Christmas,” he said.

“We have these burglaries year round.

“We do get a fairly constant stream of burglaries. We really don’t see those go up during the school holidays. It’s pretty much steady all year round.”

Police are currently investigating Ms Moke and her neighbour’s break ins.

editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost