Gatton police are investigating a spike in burglaries and car theft

The Darling Downs country towns have been targeted by thieves looking for unlocked doors and soft targets, with several cars stolen in the past four days.

Police are urging residents to lock up after a spike in burglaries in the Lockyer Valley at the weekend.

Gatton Police Station Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Rowland Browne said several homes were broken into over the past four days, where the offenders stole car keys.

“These crimes are relatively rare in Gatton and we are very aware of how this can cause unease in the community, and we hope to resolve them and stop the occurrence,” he said.

“I urge people to make sure their houses are locked and keys are not left in easy to find locations when at home.”

The break-ins include the burglary of a McKay St home in the early hours of Monday where the offenders had stolen the keys to Nissan Murano (699YTM) and fled in the vehicle.

The car reportedly contained the ashes of the owner’s deceased father.

“These matters are under active investigation by local police and detectives,” Senior Sergeant Browne said.

“If you see suspicious persons or anyone in your yard or ‘checking out houses’ by all means post on social media but first call the police on triple-0.”

Senior Sergeant Rowland Browne at Gatton Police Station on January 3, 2019.

The warning comes as police flood the border town of Goondiwindi after a spike in robberies.

A group of offenders targeted hotels, threatening people with machetes and stealing cars, before fleeing over the border.

Darling Downs Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto said police were working around the clock with the assistance of NSW police to bring those offenders to justice.

“It would appear a lot of our offenders are travelling between the two states and we’re working with NSW police, Goondiwindi police to try and get a handle on the situation,” he said.

“In the short term we’ve put a search capacity into Goondiwindi to support them and their officers.”

Queensland police have asked members of the Goondiwindi and surrounding communities to be mindful of their personal safety and their safety of their property.

“Please don’t take matters into your own hands, that is what the police are here to do,” Acting Inspector Kitto said.

“You can assist us in any way by contacting us or if you have any vision in relation to these offences, then come forward and provide that information to police and then let us do our job.”

If you have information about the recent burglaries, phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Gatton police are investigating a spike in burglaries and car theft