Police probe Rippleside theft as petty crime frustrates residents

A Rippleside family has had its own luggage used against them as part of a brazen daylight robbery, with a cunning thief loading electronics and goods inside before casually strolling off.

Security footage captured these two people roaming around Rippleside last week.

A Rippleside family has had a luggage bag packed full of electronics and other goods stolen in a brazen daylight robbery, as petty crime continues to be a concern in the area.

It is the latest in a spate of thefts plaguing the bayside suburb over the past 18 months, both reported and unreported, with cunning crooks and night-time prowlers targeting its streets.

Uniformed police have been doorknocking residents on St David St, and others nearby, in the last week seeking security footage to help a probe into a February 11 incident.

It is understood a young family had thousands of dollars worth of valuables taken between 9.30am and 11am, including important personal documents such as passports.

It is believed the offender, dressed in high-visibility clothing, entered the rear of the property and used the occupants own suitcase to pack the items before casually strolling off.

The victim, a father-of-two, said he had “lost a lot” following the incident.

“I would like to ask those of you who live in this community, if you have a camera that recorded a stranger carrying luggage and a bunch of electronic products during this time period (to come forward),” he said.

It’s understood police are in the process of obtaining CCTV footage from nearby North Geelong station after reports the offender may have fled on a Melbourne-bound train.

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

One man seen knocking on a door in Rippleside this week. Photo: Supplied.

It comes as Neighbourhood Watch issued a public warning to residents in Rippleside and Geelong West on Wednesday asking people to “lock up”.

“It seems there have been some unwanted visitors in Geelong West and Rippleside areas in recent nights, scoping out homes and knocking on doors,” the post said.

Hooded and masked offenders with torches have been a regular sight on the many neighbourhood CCTV cameras in recent months.

In the last seven days there have been reports of an unwanted prowler knocking on doors on St Helens Pl, teenagers scoping streets, driveways and homes on Vautier St and cars being rummaged through.

One man, on Vautier St, allegedly had more than $2000 worth of tools stolen from a toolbox on February 14.

It comes after a 25-year-old Corio man was recently jailed over a string of offences on Bay St, Holden Ave and St Davids St in November, including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of motor vehicle and fail to stop on police direction.

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Originally published as Police probe Rippleside theft as petty crime frustrates residents