By Bryce Eishold
A spate of theft from cars in Traralgon has left police shaking their heads after more than half a dozen vehicles were broken into at the weekend.
Seven of the eight vehicles targeted overnight on Friday and Saturday were unlocked – in some cases allowing crooks to gain access to the garage door remote control – while the car was parked outside the owner’s house.
Four cars in the east end of Traralgon near Ellavale Estate were broken into, while another four were also targeted in the west end near Grubb Avenue and Bank Street.
Police have appealed to the public after a gold-coloured Holden Commodore sedan was seen at some the incidents where loose coins and valuable items including electronics such as iPads were stolen.
In one incident, a good Samaritan caught an offender trying to break into a car, before giving chase but lost the offender a short time later, police said.
Traralgon Sergeant Jo Sinclair said “all except for one” of the cars broken into at the weekend in Traralgon had been left unlocked.
“People have to be careful because if they’re leaving their cars unlocked, they’re just asking for people to break into them and it can cause issues with their insurance too,” Sergeant Sinclair said.
The incidents coincided with a number of burglaries and attempted burglaries throughout the area, including at Goodstart Early Learning in Traralgon where a window was smashed on the front of the Conway Court property.
He said items such as computers and cash were stolen during the incident early on Saturday morning, while employees’ lockers at the centre were also ransacked during the attack. There was also an attempted burglary in the early hours of Sunday morning on a restaurant off Seymour Street where crooks attempted to force open a rear door of the shop using tools likened to a crowbar.
Two vehicles parked close by the business were broken into – one of which was unlocked – while the other vehicle had a passenger-side window smashed where valuables, including a handbag were stolen.
“We’re asking that people lock their cars. Even in driveways and carports make sure you lock your vehicles, double check they’re locked and take valuables with you,” Sergeant Sinclair said.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Traralgon police on 5172 2700 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
