Winter Valley, Miners Rest and Alfredton homes targeted

The theft of thousands of dollars worth of power tools in a string of “opportunistic” crimes from Ballarat properties are under police investigation.

A string of “opportunistic” thefts from several Ballarat properties committed in broad daylight are under investigation.

Power tools and property including bicycles have been taken from a number of homes in Winter Valley, Miners Rest and Alfredton this week and over the weekend.

“A series of opportunistic thefts and burglaries on residential garages, it looks like the suspects were using a white Ford Courier Ute, possibly stolen,” Ballarat divisional Investigation and Response Inspector Bob Heaney said.

“They’ve targeted open garages, obviously driven past and seen people that have left the door open and they’ve seen property inside the garages and they’ve stolen them.”

Inspector Heaney said police were yet to confirm if all the thefts were linked or committed by the same person, and they were seeking information about the white Ute.

Kayla Timpson posted CCTV footage in a Facebook post that appears to show her partner’s belongings being taken from their Arranmore Estate home at Miners Rest at 9.30am Sunday.

“Just a heads up to anyone in the Miners Rest area, my partner has had thousands of dollars worth of tools stolen from the garage this morning,” she wrote.

“He was outside washing the car with the garage door open and came back inside for about 20 minutes.

“In this time a guy has pulled up in a white ute, grabbed as much as he could carry and driven off.

“This was at 9:30 in the morning, in broad daylight and whilst we were home.”

Ms Timpson wrote her partner believed he had seen the same Ute observing the estate previously.

Inspector Heaney urged the community to take precautions and to report anything suspicious.

“Be vigilant with your home security, be mindful of leaving garage doors open and valuables on display, make sure your cars are locked,” he said.

“If anyone has any information or they see somebody that raises their suspicion, if it’s a suspicious vehicle or a suspicious person loitering in the area then and there, call triple-0 and police will respond.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au