Three teenagers have been arrested after allegedly stealing a car and belongings from a Sunshine Coast house, with police imploring residents to lock their doors.
District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said local police were working with the community to reduce the risk of theft.
“Through intelligence and understanding offender motives, we know there are opportunistic offenders who travel from other areas of South-East Queensland to the Sunshine Coast, in an attempt to take advantage of our relaxed way of life, perceiving that many people who live here often leave their property unsecured,” he said.
Maleny resident Max experienced property theft first-hand.
His house was allegedly entered through an unlocked door, behind a gate, on the side of his house, during the early hours of the morning on September 1.
The offenders allegedly stole his keys and wallet from the kitchen bench before using his keys to steal his Honda Accord, which was parked in the driveway.
Police later located the car in Pelican Waters and investigations, under Operation Cornmeal, lead the Child Protection Investigation Unit to arrest a 13-year-old Currimundi girl, a 14-year-old Bli Bli boy and a 14-year-old Baringa girl over the incident.
Superintendent Hawkins urged local communities to help reduce property theft.
“Having your car, keys or wallet stolen can not only be a significant financial loss through having to pay insurance excess or replacing what was stolen, but it can also cause great challenges in getting to and from work or school, buying groceries without a bank card, having to replace the locks in your home but, most importantly, how you feel thereafter in your own home,” he said.
“I never want our community to live in fear, and police come to work every day to ensure we all feel safe in our neighbourhood.
“With this said, it is important for all of us to be mindful of our security habits and take the actionable steps to help maximise our security measures.
“I can assure you that police, including our Property Crime Taskforce and Criminal Investigation Branch, are working hard to put offenders into custody, however, putting a stop to property crime on the Sunshine Coast will always be a team effort.
“It’s important for everyone to play their part in this effort by continuing to lock doors, gates and windows to your homes and vehicles and keep valuables, like keys and wallets, out of plain sight.
“Together, we can help to make our Sunshine Coast community a safer place to call home.
“We ask that you help your police to help you.
“We will continue to focus on crime prevention to help our community strengthen their property security, and this will include a school competition to educate students about the importance of locking up and upcoming pop-ups at shopping centres.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at Crime Stoppers.
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