Moira Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe and Mulwala Police Sergeant Gary Lewis have expressed concern over the increasing number of opportunistic thefts and urged the community to be vigilant.
In an incident at the Mulwala Water Ski Club car park at 1.30am last Wednesday night, a large quantity of tools were stolen from a parked vehicle and trailer as tradespeople worked a night shift. The thieves were brazen in their pursuits as they returned to steal more tools but were apprehended by a tradesperson and sped off, last seen heading towards Yarrawonga.
Three nights earlier a Holden Commodore Sedan was parked at a licensed venue off Melbourne St on August 6 when at 3.11am a vehicle was seen to enter the carpark before a number of people exited before entering the commodore and driving away. At around 4am the same morning the Rural Fire Service responded to a car fire on Spring Drive Mulwala.
Oaklands and Corowa Police have also reported thefts of vehicles and cars alight however the one positive is that there has been success with arrests for a majority of the incidents’.
A significant arrest was made of a male and female offender in Yarrawonga recently after they were seen to be stealing from Woolworths before police found the vehicle they were driving had been stolen.
Elsewhere a search warrant was performed at Tom St Yarrawonga where Yarrawonga Police recovered a $60,000 stolen caravan, imitation firearm, five stolen high-end push bikes as well as cannabis and methamphetamines.
Furthermore, a 42-year-old man attended a business on Melbourne Street to find the business closed. The male demanded the doors be opened and kicked the door, cracking it. From there he went to the front of the store where he entered, approached a cleaner and pushed them.
The male has been charged with common assault and malicious damage to appear at the Corowa Court.
Most recently several truck batteries were stolen from vehicles at the Mulwala-located golf club’s workshops in the early hours of Saturday, August 5 rendering them inoperable for a period of time. Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to call Mulwala Police.
The majority of these incidents indicate that criminals are exploiting unlocked and abandoned vehicles in the area.
Senior Sergeant Ractliffe stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent such incidents, urging residents to lock their houses, cars, trailers and sheds.
“Be mindful and vigilant,” he said.
“Criminals often look for easy opportunities, and we must not make it any easier for them.
“We have had an increase in thefts from and of motor vehicles but the message is simple – lock it or lose it.
“In a majority of the incidents that were reported, the owners had left their property unlocked which is almost an invitation as much as we wish it wasn’t.”
Sergeant Ractliffe reassured the community that whilst these incidents continue to occur, police are on their trail and offenders are being caught.
“While we have seen an increase in thefts in Yarrawonga, we stress that we have had success with arrests and the offenders have been caught very shortly after,” Senior Sargeant Ractliffe said.
“NSW and Vic Police, especially those along the border, are working hand in hand to catch these offenders and protect the livelihoods of our residents.
“There has been no crime spree in Mulwala but we remind everyone to ensure their vehicles and property are locked at all times,” Sergeant Lewis added.
“Stealing from vehicles is prevalent right across the nation but we can all do one small thing to deter it.
“The key message is that we want people to lock their cars and premises and do not leave your keys in obvious places.”
The most recent data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveals that in Yarrawonga alone, there was 350 criminal incidents recorded in the 2023 period, 7 up on the 343 incidents recorded in 2022.
Most of these were relating to theft, breaches of orders, assault, property damage and burglary/ break and enter.
There were 95 incidents of theft in Yarrawonga, down from 99 in 2022, 55 cases of assault compared to 49 in 2022, 29 cases of property damage compared to 23 in 2022 and 18 cases of burglary/ break and enter, down from 29 in 2022.
Across the Moira Shire in 2022, there were 1567 criminal incidents recorded and in 2023 there were 1582 incidents.
Theft was the highest principal offence with assault and related offences following closely behind and property damage.
Over the past decade from 2014 – 2023 in the Moira Shire, criminal incidents have increased from 1165 in 2014 to 1582 in 2023, 1456 offences were recorded in 2014 compared to 2218 in 2023, 661 victim reports were recorded in 2014 compared to 927 in 2023 and 452 family incidents were recorded in 2014 with a rise to 585 in 2023.
Despite acknowledging the cost of installing and maintaining surveillance systems, police on both sides of the border and around Australia have emphasised that investing in CCTV is well worth it, given its potential to deter criminals and provide crucial evidence in solving cases.
In addition to enhancing security measures, local police are also urging residents to report any suspicious activity they notice around their properties promptly.
Anyone with information related to the recent incidents or any other criminal activities is urged to contact 000 in an emergency, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, the Yarrawonga or Mulwala police stations or the police assistance line on 131 444.
“Be mindful, be vigilant and make sure to secure your own items and property,” Senior Sergeant Ractliffe said.
