Sunshine Coast break in data revealed amid crime increase

Break-ins are on the rise across the Sunshine Coast with some areas hit more than 130 times. See how your suburb compares with our interactive map.

Reported break ins across the Sunshine Coast are on the rise, new data has revealed. Photo: QPS/Facebook

Break ins across the Sunshine Coast are on the rise, with new data revealing which suburbs and housing estates have been targeted the most in the past 12 months.

Home and business owners are falling victim to opportunistic thieves, with MyPolice data showing reported unlawful entry offences increased since March 2022.

One of the most recent victims included a North Buderim Shopping Centre and a Woombye Supermarket, after four people were caught allegedly breaking in on CCTV.

Unknown offenders allegedly breaking into a cigarette shop in North Buderim. Picture: QPS

Queensland Police crime data revealed the Sunshine Coast region recorded 1180 unlawful entry offences in the last 12 months, with five suburbs targeted the most.

Maroochydore recorded the highest number with 137 reported offences, followed by Buderim with 71 and Caloundra with 68.

Nambour recorded the fourth highest number with 65 offences, followed by Mooloolaba with 57.

But within these, five housing estates were highlighted as having reported break ins in the last 12 months.

Headland Park and Buderim Meadows in Buderim recorded the highest number of reported break ins, with five and three reports respectively.

In Maroochydore, Somerton Residences recorded two break ins.

Village Green Stage 2 in Caloundra recorded three break-ins.

There was no reported break ins for housing estates in Mooloolaba or Nambour.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Allora Gardens as a location where break-ins had taken place. The Daily apologises for the error.

See the heatmap below to find out how many break-ins were reported in your area:

(Suburbs with no reported offences have not been included)

Here are five people convicted in Sunshine Coast courts of breaking and entering in 2022:

Convicted offenders:

Eli Ruston Pilton and Dylan Mark Cheers

Sunshine Coast duo Eli Ruston Pilton, of Moy Pocket, and Dylan Mark Cheers, of Currimundi, were convicted in 2022 of a spate of break ins across the Sunshine Coast in 2020.

Maroochydore District Court heard the 24-year-olds, fuelled by meth, conducted a series of break and enters over a five-week period between March and April in 2020.

The pair targeted cars and homes, and often used stolen vehicles to break into shops and pharmacies for cigarettes, jewellery and other items, the court heard.

Dylan Mark Cheers. Photo: Facebook

They were arrested on April 15, 2020.

Defence barrister James Feely, acting for Pilton, told the court the 24-year-old former roofer was using up to half a gram of meth a day during the spree, with the offending driving his addiction.

Defence barrister Nathan Turner, acting for Cheers, said the dad was also under the influence of meth during the five-week spree and would work as a labourer following his release.

The court was told both men had made steps to address their drug issues while in prison.

Eli Rustin Pilton. Picture: Facebook

Cheers and Pilton pleaded guilty to 19 and 21 charges respectively including several counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles, breaking and entering, arson, and stealing.

Pilton was sentenced to two years’ jail and was given immediate parole, while Cheers was sentenced to three years’ jail and was released on immediate parole, with 700 days in pre sentence custody recorded as time served for Cheers.

Convictions were recorded.

Shane Robert O’Neill

Towen Mountain man Shane Robert O’Neill traumatised disabled residents at a Nambour facility after he broke into the building on March 2, 2022.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court was told that O’Neill had a drug relapse after news of a close friend’s death, which triggered the break in.

Towen Mountain man Shane Robert O’Neill traumatised disabled residents at a Nambour facility after he broke into the building on March 2, 2022. Generic image.

He was later arrested after leaving the residents traumatised, the court heard.

Magistrate Peter Cooke said it was concerning that the residence was for people with disabilities.

O’Neill pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering premises and possession of drugs

He was sentenced to two years in prison with an immediate parole release date.

A conviction was recorded.

FULL STORY HERE

Alex Stevens

Sunshine Coast man Alex Graham Stevens was convicted of breaking into and stealing cars across the Sunshine Coast from between March and May 2022.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court documents revealed Stevens, 21, stole a Ford Ranger ute from a Woombye man’s garage on May 9, and then stole the keys for an Isuzu D-Max from a 32-year-old woman’s home.

Stevens also stole a Subaru Forester from a Nambour home on May 7, and a Nissan Van from a Mountain Creek home on May 6.

Alex Stevens faced 57 charges in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Court documents revealed he later used the Subaru Forester to break into Curtain Wonderland in the Maroochydore Homemaker Centre on May 18, 2022.

Defence solicitor Luke Bull said Stevens had completed up to Year 9 at high school but had a troubled upbringing where he experienced homelessness.

Stevens was given three years’ prison with a parole eligibility date of August 19, 2023, and was disqualified from driving for four years.