The Volkswagen T-Cross allegedly stolen from a Boorooma home on the weekend. The owner has asked people to look out for it. Photos: Supplied.
A Boorooma resident is appealing for help after thieves allegedly broke into his home, stole his son’s PlayStation and car keys, and drove away in his uninsured Volkswagen T-Cross.
The man in his 50s, who does not want to be identified for privacy reasons, said his Strickland Drive home was one of two allegedly targeted between midnight and 6 am on Sunday (13 September).
He was staying at his partner’s home at the time of the alleged break-in.
Forensics officers have since attended his home and neighbouring CCTV footage has been provided to police as the investigation continues.
The resident said his back door had been left unlocked and the thieves allegedly entered the house before stealing several items belonging to his child, as well as his car keys.
His blue Volkswagen T-Cross, registration ELX 600, was then allegedly stolen.
“We are understandably devastated and desperately hoping someone might have captured footage on their home cameras or seen my car and could pass that info on to police,” he said.
“I thought Boorooma was a safe suburb. The most terrifying thing for me was hearing from police that these sorts of offenders often carry machetes and knives and should not be confronted.”
The second alleged break-in happened just doors away.
Five sets of keys were allegedly taken and five utes on the property were allegedly ransacked, although none of the vehicles was stolen.
The incidents are a reminder that even suburbs such as Boorooma, which are not generally associated with crime, are not immune from opportunistic thieves.
The man whose T-Cross was allegedly stolen is appealing to anyone who sees the vehicle to contact police or Region with information about where and when it was spotted.
“I posted about this incident on Facebook and am delighted with how the Estella community rallied in support and offered their help to find my car,” he said.
The rear view of the T-Cross.
Over the past 12 months, there have been a number of incidents across Wagga and Griffith where offenders have allegedly entered homes through unlocked doors or windows or accessed unlocked vehicles.
On some occasions, residents have been at home, with thieves allegedly creeping past them while they slept to steal their keys and then their vehicles.
District Inspector Glenn Smith urged residents to take simple precautions before going to bed.
“We are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and not leave the vehicle keys or garage remotes in the vehicle,” he said.
“Residents should also lock their house doors and windows before they go to bed each night.
“Police would also ask that if residents do happen to disturb offenders during the night, to immediately contact police or call triple zero.
“Locking your car and house doors and windows is a simple deterrent that works. Eight out of 10 homes are entered by thieves via unlocked doors or windows.”
Police are encouraging residents to adopt the 9 pm routine:
- Lock your house before going to bed
- Lock your vehicle and remove all valuables, including keys, wallets and garage door openers
- Turn on alarms and sensor lighting and make sure CCTV is working
- Report suspicious activity to police
- Look out for your neighbours.
Anyone who has seen the T-Cross, registration ELX 600, or has CCTV or other footage from around Strickland Drive and Boorooma Street between midnight and 6 am on Sunday 13 September is urged to contact police.
I keep reading about how many "jobs" these data centres create. Apart from the obvious employment… View