Caught on camera: Dalby business owner targeted by brazen thieves twice in two weeks

Two juveniles have been charged with break and enter after a fed-up business owner took matters into her own hands. See the full details:

Two juveniles have allegedly been busted breaking into a Dalby business after the owner upgraded security and installed cameras following previous incidents.

The pair were charged with one count each of wilful damage and entering a premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.

A staff member from the practice said a clothes line and bathroom window were damaged as the alleged offenders tried to enter the property.

Police said it is at this point unclear if the break-in was related to another theft two weeks earlier.

The juveniles are due to front the Dalby Children’s Court later this month.

EARLIER

A Dalby business owner whose property has repeatedly been targeted by brazen thieves is urging fellow members of the community to remain vigilant after a security upgrade enabled her to catch the culprits on camera.

Christine Tully Chiropractic owner Christine Tully says her practice was first broken into two weeks ago, with the burglars taking a small amount of cash and a mobile phone.

She said her own business was not the only one impacted by the theft.

“We have a patient who brings in honey and we sell it over the counter for him, which is where they took the cash from,” Ms Tully said.

With being unable to determine how the culprits gained entry or who might be behind the theft leaving her team on edge, Ms Tully said she decided to install security cameras as a safety precaution.

The security upgrades proved essential for Ms Tully far sooner than she expected when her business was again targeted on Tuesday night, only weeks after the first strike.

“I got home to Oakey and at 6:45pm the camera alert started happening, it took me a little while to work out what was going on,” she said.

“One (offender) was at the front door when the alarm came on, but they’ve actually come through the bathroom window.

“He tried to let the (other) guy through the front door, but it’s stuck from the wet weather, so they put the chair in front of the fence.”

Ms Tully said the pair were captured on video rummaging through the building, with another staff member reporting that the thieves initially had their faces exposed before noticing the camera and using their shirt to cover it.

“I watched them for a few minutes, called the police, pushed the alarm and they left very promptly,” Ms Tully said.

She said she hoped her difficult experience would help encourage other Dalby business owners to be more vigilant.

“It really pays off, now we have their faces,” Ms Tully said.

There is no evidence at this stage to suggest the break-ins are connected, with investigations into both incidents still ongoing.

No charges have yet been laid.

Anyone with relevant information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.