Home invasions: Victoria’s burglary hot spots revealed
THUGS are breaking into a home every three hours in this Melbourne suburb, identified as Victoria’s home invasion hotspot.
Law & Order
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CRIMINALS are breaking in to a property every three hours in Victoria’s suburban home invasion hotspot.
Jarryd Northe and Sam Heff are part of a growing number of Cranbourne locals hit by an alarming crime wave in the area that is now the state’s aggravated burglary capital.
Gangs are invading people’s homes while they sleep — or confronting them with violence — daily.
Police are closing in on the young men suspected of prowling through the home while Mr Northe slept, tracking them down on CCTV after they went on a spending spree with stolen credit cards.
But the trauma of the crime continues for the victims who are so scared the criminals could return that they have forked out on expensive home security.
“It was very confronting, very invasive,” Mr Northe, 28, said.
“I really hope they don’t do this to anyone else and no one else has to go through this.”
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Break-ins in the 3977 postcode — including Cranbourne, Devon Meadows and Skye — have doubled in the past four years to an alarming 936 per annum.
In the wider City of Casey, there were 2763 last year — that’s one every three hours.
Offenders in that area are more likely to enter properties while people are home — 358 times, or more than one a day, in the last year.
Mr Northe’s new car, computer equipment and tools were among the tens of thousands of dollars worth of items stolen from the tradie’s Dianne Ct property on August 7.
The burglars then spent his money at petrol stations in Dandenong, Carrum Downs, Cranbourne and Mt Evelyn before dumping his Ford Ranger at Hampton Park.
But it was the loss of their precious pet cats Tahlia and Dom that “gutted” the couple the most.
“By the second day we did think maybe they’ve taken them, chucked them in the car and then dumped them,” Mr Northe said.
To much relief, the cats turned up two days later — one was found hiding on a neighbour’s roof, while the other came home on his own.
It’s believed the burglars had let the pets out while they looted the house.
Casey Police Detective Acting Sgt Mark Wiederhold said at least three people were behind the “concerning” home invasion.
Police have released CCTV of two men who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
