Barkly and MacDonnell Regional councils targeted in string of break-ins
Two regional Territory councils, more than 500km apart, have been targeted in a string of break-ins that’s left vehicle keys in the hands of criminals at large.
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Criminals have hit two regional councils in the Territory in a series of break-ins spanning several days.
Barkly Regional Council in Tennant Creek has been targeted twice in two days, while MacDonnell Regional Council’s premises in Amoonguna, 20km southeast of Alice Springs, was broken into over the weekend.
The Barkly Regional Council and Civic Centre, which is situated on Peko Road, was first hit between 5am and 9.30am on Monday.
Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said the alleged offenders did not even need to damage the property to unlawfully enter.
“The point of entry was through an unsecured side door, a glass door,” Commander Milner said.
Initial reports to police suggest a fire extinguisher was stolen.
The council building was allegedly targeted again sometime before workers returned to the property at 9am on Tuesday.
“They’ve come back and because it was locked, they decided to smash their way in,” Commander Milner said.
“They damaged the glass side door by smashing it they’ve gone inside and they’ve stolen three sets of motor vehicle keys.
“It’s anticipated these persons of interest will go back and try to get those vehicles.
“You would expect the Barkly Regional Council to make sure those vehicles are secure or demobilised until they change the keys.”
Commander Milner says police believe the vehicles are all four wheel drives, two of which are twin cabs.
The double break-in comes just days after another NT council building lost vehicle keys in an unlawful entry.
MacDonnell Regional Council’s Amoonguna building was hit sometime on the weekend, with council staff only seeing the damages upon their return to work on Monday.
“The (alleged offenders) damaged the rear office door to gain entry and have stolen four sets of keys,” Commander Milner said.
“It looks like the keys are to a tip truck, a compactor, a tractor and a backhoe.”
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Originally published as Barkly and MacDonnell Regional councils targeted in string of break-ins
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