By ANEEKA SIMONIS
BEACONSFIELD was hard hit by thieves in an overnight spree targeting unlocked cars last week.
Overnight on Wednesday 30 September, five thefts were reported to police in residential areas north of the Old Princes Highway in Beaconsfield.
In all reported cases, targeted cars were parked in driveways or outside of homes.
All were left unlocked.
Police said small portable items stolen included sunglasses, credit cards, GPS devices and loudspeakers.
The theft spree made up half the total reported motor vehicle theft incidents reported to police between Monday 28 September and Sunday 4 October in Cardinia Shire and led to a doubling of theft incidents compared to the previous week.
Police received reports of another five separate incidents in Cockatoo, Officer and Pakenham.
All of the targeted vehicles were left unlocked, with no signs of forced entry.
During the previous week there were thefts reported in Pakenham, Emerald and Nyora – each involving unlocked cars.
The fourth incident involved the theft of a registration plate.
