Every day in Pakenham, someone’s car is broken into…

By Jade Lawton
OPPORTUNISTIC thieves targeted unlocked cars across the Cardinia Shire last month.
Acting Senior Sergeant Ray De Reus, of Pakenham Police, said 38 incidents of theft from motor vehicles were reported to police in December – a rate of more than one a day.
“Most of the vehicles were unlocked,” Acting Sen Sgt De Reus said.
“Incidents are occurring in Pakenham, Emerald and Beaconsfield, and there was a spate in Bunyip over one night where five vehicles were entered, with cash and MP3s stolen.”
Acting Sen Sgt De Reus said thieves targeted cars parked in driveways and residential streets, as well as shopping centre and train station car parks.
Items stolen from cars parked in Pakenham include GPS systems, golf clubs, wallets, and a laptop.
“In one case a power cord leading from the cigarette lighter alerted the thief there was a GPS in the car. You must remove all evidence.”
On 15 December, a thief grabbed a GPS unit and other possessions from a car parked in Pakenham’s Main Street.
“A truck was parked in a driveway on a worksite and this person entered the vehicle and unlocked it and stole bits and pieces, including a GPS,” Acting Sen Sgt De Reus said.
“He was observed leaving and chased before getting into a taxi.”
Police followed the 32-year-old Cranbourne man to Nar Nar Goon, where he was arrested.
He has since been charged and bailed to appear in court at a later date.
The offender dropped the GPS unit as he fled, but Acting Sen Sgt De Reus said it was often difficult to recover items stolen from cars.
“A lot of people don’t record serial numbers. If they do, we can generally track them down – it should be a common practice when you buy something new.”
Acting Sen Sgt De Reus said police in the Cardinia Shire were trying to reduce thefts from motor vehicles.
The spate of thefts defied recent trends, with Victoria Police statistics showing that thefts from motor vehicles are down more than 15 per cent on the same period last year.
“This is a slight increase on November, one we are trying to avoid. We are trying to reduce all crime,” Act Sen Sgt De Reus said.
“Look, lock and leave applies at home as well – people just have to be mindful of security when at their home address.”