Crime wave: Wondai, Kingaroy businesses targeted in shocking spate of theft across South Burnett

Detectives are on the hunt for unknown offenders they believe stole several big ticket items from businesses across the South Burnett, as a shocking crime wave continues across the region.

Detectives are on the hunt for thieves who big ticket items from a string of businesses in Kingaroy and Wondai, as a shocking crime wave continues across the South Burnett region.

Thieves are believed to have broken into two private sites in a Wondai industrial estate in the early hours of May 4.

Starting on North Street, the offenders entered several sheds and took a long list of pricey items, including 30 gold and silver rings with gemstones, an electric angle grinder, extension leads, radiators, vehicle and forklift spare parts, a surveyor’s laser level, and a large nail gun in a yellow case.

They also cut copper battery cables from several parked vehicles and cut a hole in the rear chain mesh fence to send the items through the fence to reach their car, which was parked nearby.

A Bunya Ave business was the next victim with the thieves packing up a 2009 Unique Camper Trailer (registration CX6070), which was on display in the yard, and attached it to their car and drove off.

The car is a white two-wheel tray back utility with a ladder rack fitted to the rear of the tray.

Less than a week later, unknown offenders broke into four of electrical business in Kingaroy between May 9 and 15.

The thieves cut their way into the Sawtell Street, Doonkuna Street, Edward Street and Queen Street businesses through the fence, and stole property stored in the yard.

Kingaroy officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant David Tierney said these crimes are typically opportunistic, and every now and again the region will experience a spike in robberies and break-ins - ‘whether it be from people just being released from prison or people who desperately need money’.

“They’re crimes of opportunity, and in this case, they’re hitting businesses where there’s not a lot of industrial traffic,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Tierney said the most important thing for both businesses and residents to remember is “lock it or lose it”, with police urging people to keep their doors locked at all times, and in the case of businesses, storing valuable equipment inside the building when possible.

The recent break-ins are the latest in a shocking spate of property crimes that have swept across the region this year including more than a dozen people hit with 75 charges under Operation Viper in February, which targeted a tsunami of car thefts across the South Burnett and Gympie.

If you have information for police call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.