Strathmore residents fear home and car break-ins over Christmas
Axe-wielding burglars have smashed their way into Strathmore businesses stealing charity money and leaving residents fearing for their safety ahead of Christmas.
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Shaken and scared residents are calling for a bigger police presence in Strathmore after a string of home invasions, shop burglaries and car break-ins.
Last Monday, two people armed with an axe smashed through the front doors of The Pizza Bar restaurant and Split Ends Hair Design on Mascoma St at about 5am.
Detective Senior Constable Mitchell Hardisty said an axe was left behind at the scene and the offenders were still on the run.
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The robberies came a week after businesses on Strathmore’s Napier St strip were broken into.
It was the second time in two years The Pizza Bar had been broken into and the first time for Jess Pratt’s salon.
The Pizza Bar owner Vas Karvelas said he did not leave cash on the premises and luckily nothing was stolen.
But the burglars fled to the back of the shop and jumped a fence, which pushed a wall onto his grease trap.
Mr Karvelas said he would need to spend up to $15,000 repairing the grease trap and the glass door.
Ms Pratt had $100 stolen from a charity bucket for an annual Christmas raffle she organised to raise money for a local animal hospital.
The burglars also ransacked the salon and stole two pairs of clippers worth about $300.
Mr Karvelas said although it was disappointing his store had been targeted, he was proud neighbours in the area had called the police and come out to offer support.
“It’s great to have people here that look out for the business and the area,” he said.
“I got a phone call at 5am from someone who owns the cake shop on the corner telling me someone had broken into my shop. This is a good area — people look out for each other.”
Last month, there were five home invasions and seven cars broken into in Strathmore alone, according to Moonee Valley senior constable Luki Yantono.
But despite the recent spike, Strathmore Neighbourhood Watch spokeswoman Anna Lanigan said Strathmore remained one of the most safe neighbourhoods in Moonee Valley.
Ms Lanigan was urging anyone whose home or car was broken into to report it police or Crime Stoppers so the crimes could be officially recorded.
The council has organised Coffee with a Cop to be held in Strathmore on Thursday, December 20 at Edward Abbott Food and Wine from 10am to 12pm.
Tips to keep your home secure:
*Consider a house-sitter to look after your home while you’re away
*Put a stop on your mail or ensure it is collected regularly and not left overflowing in your letterbox
*Cancel any newspaper subscriptions — uncollected newspapers can tell burglars you’re not at home
*Arrange for your neighbour to take your bins out and in
*Set up a timer for a lamp or lights to come on at night
*Set up a timer for a radio to turn on and off throughout
the day
*Be careful when posting holiday plans on social media — don’t advertise that your home is vacant
*Consider submitting an Absence from Residence form at your local police station
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