Police are urging Melton and Caroline Springs residents to lock garage doors following a spate of garage and shed burglaries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Barry Jenks, of the Melton crime investigation unit, said power tools, remote controls and even cars and motorcycles had been stolen from garages in the past few weeks.
“Remote controls often provide the opportunity for offenders to return and gain access at a later time, even if the garage is locked,” Detective Senior Sergeant Jenks said.
“[We] advise that garages and sheds should be locked whenever you are not at home, and overnight.”
Police say that about two weeks ago, offenders broke into a Melton West home some time between 10am and 1pm, taking a speed boat and trailer, valued at about $80,000, a “large” sum of cash and a “large” quantity of jewellery.
A blue sedan was spotted in the driveway on the day of the burglary.
Police say the offenders forced open the garage door before making their way inside the home.
“Once in the home, they ransacked all rooms and caused significant damage to several items, including the leather lounge suite, washing machine and other kitchen items,” Detective Senior Sergeant Jenks said. Police are urging people to keep an eye out for the speed boat, which is coloured candy apple red with black checkers, and the boat trailer, which is black, with ther registration number U66-046.
In a separate incident, an offender broke into an unlocked shed between 6.40am and 3.50pm on Wednesday, June 10, in Andrew Street, Melton South, stealing a Husqvarna chainsaw valued at $1500.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jenks said a 27-year-old Melton man, arrested last week, could be linked to a number of other garage and shed burglaries in the Melton area.
Police allege that about 2pm on Tuesday, June 9, the 27-year-old used an axe to break the lock on the front gate of a Kurunjang home before stealing a motorcycle.
Shortly afterwards, Melton highway patrol spotted the offender on the stolen motorcycle then intercepted and arrested him. He has been remanded in custody, charged with burglary, theft and possessing a drug of dependence.
Report information about these burglaries to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
