Police are concerned by a series of burglaries across Brimbank and Melton during which thieves steal remote controls from cars to burgle garages and, in some instances, houses.
Brimbank crime prevention officer Leading Senior Constable Matthew Mudie said offenders were using stolen remotes to gain access to properties through internal doors connecting garages to houses.
Leading Senior Constable Mudie said once inside the garage, most offenders had been able to easily access homes because owners often leave the door between the garage and house unlocked.
“Likewise, cars are being stolen or items stolen from cars within residential garages as the vehicles are left unlocked,” he said.
Star Weekly first reported the trend in November last year.
Leading Senior Constable Mudie said even more offences had occurred since.
He cautioned Brimbank and Melton residents to remove garage remotes from their vehicles, keep the doors between garages and properties locked and, if on holidays, switch off the power to roller doors so they can’t be opened.
In other police news, Brimbank crime investigation unit officers arrested a 23-year-old man over an aggravated burglary that took place in St Albans last week. Police stormed a Campbellfield property and seized a loaded firearm, ammunition and other items.
The man was charged and appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court last week.
