Police warn of doorknocking gang targeting Warrandyte homes

A GANG of thieves is doorknocking homes in Melbourne’s east, looking to target empty houses.

A GANG of doorknocking bandits have homeowners on high alert in Warrandyte after two houses were targeted in late afternoon Sunday raids.

Manningham police are looking for a grey or dark grey Toyota with stolen numberplates seen in the area shortly before the robberies, which they believe happened between 7pm and 7.30pm.

The thefts occurred from houses in Oakland and Batskos drives but it is believed other properties were checked out by the gang.

Police say the gang was made up of five men, one of whom first knocks on the doors to work out if anyone was home.

Manningham CIU Sergeant Adam Moore said homeowners who answered the door would scare the thieves off.

“In both robberies the residents were not home, everyone was away. We believe they were probably doorknocking other addresses to see if people are home,” he said.

“They don’t want confrontation so if they realise someone is home they immediately decide that house is not a target they’re interested in.”

Sgt Moore said it install a security door was a good idea but if people were too scared to answer the door they should immediately call 000.

He said police were still working out exactly what was stolen in the stings.

“We haven’t got information on that at this stage as we’re still talking to the homeowners,” he said.

Patricia Bottomley, administrator of the Facebook page Warrandyte Community Alert, said she had spoken to a number of other people who were doorknocked on the night.

“It seems like someone will knock on the door and then if you answer they’ll ask for Teresa or something like that,” she said.

“When you say there’s no one here of that name, they move on. These kind of things are random but could potentially clean out your house.”

Anyone with information on the doorknocking bandits is urged to call police at Doncaster.

Originally published as Police warn of doorknocking gang targeting Warrandyte homes