South Burnett crime: String of break-ins and car thefts continue across Kingaroy, Murgon

More homes have been targeted by burglars and one car was stolen twice as many days as police continue to hunt for offenders. See the crime hotspots thieves are targeting in our interactive map:

Property crimes are continuing to occur on a near daily rate across the region, with multiple break ins and theft reported in the past week.

The crime wave includes a shocking incident where a teenager was allegedly assaulted and robbed by two other young men who stole his electric scooter in a brazen night time attack on a Kingaroy street.

Two young men were dealt with in relation to the alleged attack, with one due to face court.

On Tuesday, May 31, residents of a Fairview Dr property in Kingaroy disturbed three people trying to break into their house through a sliding door.

The offender fled down Nolan St.

Between June 3 and 4, offenders approached a house on Peroone Street, Wondai and removed a security screen to gain entry through a bedroom window.

It appears no property was stolen, and no one was home at the time.

Also on June 4, at about 9.30pm offenders approached a Gore Street home in Murgon, where they tried to lift the garage door.

The offenders were startled by the noise and a neighbourhood dog barking, causing them to flee.

See where criminals are targeting on our interactive map

(Blue pins show approximate location of reported crime and the date)

A car was stolen from Bell Street, Cherbourg about 10pm on June 4, with thieves taken the keys and fleeing in the vehicle.

It was located the following day on Fisher Street, Cherbourg, with the stolen keys still outstanding.

Less than 24 hours later, the same offenders returned about 7pm and stole the same vehicle using the keys.

Police said the car was driven around Cherbourg at speed for about 15 minutes before it was crashed into a fence.

Investigations into the incidents are all ongoing.

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Police have also charged a man with stealing from shops in Murgon.

At about 4.40pm on May 30, a man attended a Lamb Street business and allegedly stole meat.

A 30-year-old Cherbourg man was charged with two counts of enter premise and commit indictable offence and is due to appear at the Murgon Magistrates Court on June 21.

Murgon Police Community Crime Reduction officer Danielle Gordon urged locals to lock up their property.

“Offending is usually opportunistic, in that if doors to houses or vehicles are being left unlocked, then they are more likely to get broken into or items stolen from their vehicles,” she said.

The spree comes after detectives began hunting for thieves who stole big ticket items from a string of businesses in Kingaroy and Wondai.

Senior Constable Gordon said residents and businesses should do the following to ensure they reduced their risk of being a victim:

• Ensure doors are always locked with a key even when you are home.
• Ensure that all external doors, including your garage, of your home are solid and fitted with quality deadlocks
• Fit secure locks to your window which meet Australian Standards and never leave the keys in the window locks
• Always ensure car keys and house keys, together with mobile phones, handbags and wallets are stored out of sight
• Ensure trees and shrubs are trimmed to allow visibility to your property and your house number is clearly visible
• Lock away items of value such as bikes, lawnmowers and garden implements such as ladders. Always keep your garage or shed door closed and locked with a key.

Constable Gordon also reminded residents police offered security audits of their properties, and anyone wishing to book one should call the Murgon Station on [phone].