Car thieves escalating efforts to steal vehicles

CAR thieves are resorting to forceful break and enters and hot-wire attempts as residents begin to lock their homes.

CAR thieves are resorting to forceful break and enters and hot-wire attempts as residents begin to lock their homes.

A late-model Mercedes Benz was reported stolen from a Westbrook home on Wednesday night after a rear laundry door was smashed and intruders took the keys.

City Patrol Group Inspector Stephen Angus said the homeowners were away on holidays, and the car was noticed missing by caretakers.

Despite the 2016 model blue GLA22 Mercedes vehicle being seen around Toowoomba, it is yet to be recovered.

Police are also investigating an unsuccessful hot-wiring attempt of a vehicle in Torrington.

Inspector Angus said the offenders were unsuccessful, suggesting modern vehicle immobilisers made it almost impossible for thieves to steal cars without keys.

He said the forced home entry and the hot-wire attempt indicated an escalation in offending.

"What we have seen over recent weeks is sneak-type offences," he said.

"Now we're seeing an escalation with offenders resorting to actual break-ins of places.

"Where the Mercedes was stolen, the owners were away at the time.

"If offenders are of the view that somebody is at home, they will attempt to conceal or mask their movements to avoid raising the alarm to their presence.

"If offenders are confident people aren't at home, they will resort to an actual break."

Inspector Angus said residents should build strong relationships with neighbours to keep a check on properties if they were going out of town.

"They did that in the old days and should be doing it today," he said.

"But if residents do see people loitering or acting suspiciously in the area, they should call police."

Five cars reported stolen from Toowoomba and the surrounding areas are yet to be recovered by police.
 

Originally published as Car thieves escalating efforts to steal vehicles