Police have called on the community of Stawell to be vigilant after a string of thefts and vandalism incidents were reported in the area during the week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A CD player was stolen from a Stawell D and N Truck Repairs business car after the owners found the window smashed while the car was parked in the backyard of the business at the weekend.
Tools were also stolen from the back of a ute on Tuesday night, while two wallets and cash were taken from an unlocked car in a separate incident on the same night.
Stawell Sergeant Russell Brown said residents needed to lock their car doors and secure all valuable at all times.
“There have been a few incidents around the town now and some car doors have been locked, while others have not been,” he said.
“Lock them all the time and leave all valuables secured or out of eyesight so it does not give them a reason to want to break in.”
Sergeant Brown said the current pattern of crime happened in cycles and wanted to see this trend of behaviour ending soon.
“Sometimes we will get a lot of thefts and attacks on motor vehicles for two weeks and then it will go quiet for six months, but Stawell police are working to keep these crimes quiet as much as we can,” he said.
Police had no suspects but asked the community to call Stawell police station directly if they had any information on 5358 8222 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“Now we are asking the community to take some responsibility,” Sergeant Brown said.
“Some of these incidents can depend on your actions and how careful you are in keeping things locked and your valuables stored away.”
Similar incidents had also happened in Ararat.
Vandals targeted Ararat North primary school on Tuesday last week and caused up to $1000 worth of damage.
Offenders also broke into the machinery shed at the Ararat Harness Racing Club and caused in excess of $300 worth of damage, during the same time period.
Club president Tony Bond said he was disgusted by the vandals’ behaviour who let off a fire extinguisher, attempted to start vehicles and stole soft drink.
“We might have caught you on film so those of you who did this, expect a knock on your door any day,” he said.
“It is very sad to see and I hope the offenders are caught and disciplined.”
