Thieves use open dog door

Police search under way after thieves flee in stolen car, 4WD

POLICE have asked the public to be on the lookout for two vehicles stolen from Toowoomba homes.

Both vehicles were observed by police in Centenary Heights about 3am on Tuesday where they drove away from an attempted intercept.

One vehicle, a Range Rover, was stolen from a home in North Street, Mt Lofty after thieves entered by a rear door that the occupant left open for their dogs.

CAR thieves have struck multiple homes overnight while residents slept inside, leaving a path of chaos and destruction in their wake and families left to pick up the pieces.

Both vehicles were observed by police in Centenary Heights about 3am on Tuesday where they are alleged to have driven off from an attempted intercept.

Toowoomba Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Brian Collins said a grey 2018 Range Rover Evoque (QLD 653YTK) was stolen from a home in North Street, Mt Lofty after thieves entered by a rear door that the occupant left open for their dogs.

The vehicle owner was asleep at the time and did not know their vehicle had been stolen until police arrived on their doorstep to inquire about the suspected attempt to avoid police in Centenary Heights.

The same group of thieves stole a silver 2015 Mazda CX5 from a home in Dunne Street, Harristown by entering through a window.

The owner was alerted to the theft after they heard their car drive away.

“It is believed the vehicle keys were stolen on both instances from inside the dwellings,” Sgt Collins said.

Burglary remains a problem in the Darling Downs with 183 unlawful entry offences reported in August, down from a high of 250 in July.

This figure includes Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Warwick and Goondiwindi and relates to the entry of homes, business and vehicles.

Despite a recent uptick in property crime, generally speaking, Toowoomba – and Queensland is getting safer.

Property crime is down about 14 per cent in the past 10 years, from 1517 offences reported in 2009 to 14363 in 2019.

Statewide, the property crime rate has almost halved in the past 20 years – down from a high of 8700 per 100,000 people in 1999-2000 to 5100 per 100,000 people in 2018-19.

Police have repeatedly called on the public to make sure their properties are locked at all times, to keep their vehicle keys secured in a cupboard or set of draws at night.

If you observe the vehicles or know the identity of the offenders, phone Policelink on 131 444 or 1800 333 000.